Koiya koi nasuna koi

This film was not made for foreign distribution and was not screened outside of Japan.

Many films wither with time. This seems to magically resist esthetic decay. It must have been very influential for Japanese cinema, being one of its first cinemascope films, using the screen in ways that are nothing less than perfect, even seen with a contemporary eye.

A deep and complex medieval story on love, dismissing the western paradigm of "suspension of disbelief." At any point there is no forgetting you are watching a movie just as at any point of reading a graphic novel you will not confuse the drawings with reality.

Firework of colors, the animation, face masks and artificial theater stage designs make the story dig even deeper into the human condition of love and pain.

A true gem and I believe still influential up to this day for anyone interested in the art of cinema.

Starts slow but worth the wait. Came out on Bluray recently.

Watch on a screen as big as possible.