Kare no ootobai, kanojo no shima

Obayashi uses color here with such abandon that it's frankly baffling more directors haven't followed his lead. He employs it not logically but emotionally, his scenes like a collection of variously-faded photographs: all you can do is scatter them to the winds, unsure which might find their way back to you one day and seek its home in your heart.

The story at its heart is fairly typical, but the stylistic flourishes - particularly the excellent use of colour which feels like it follows its own emotional logic. The two leads are great and it’s very romantic without feeling corny.

asian cinema has the terrible habit of riding its motifs into the dirt, which is unfortunate as this is absolutely rapturous for stretches, an open, sweeping film that moves like the wind.

Such a cool inversion of B&W for the pivotal key scenes and color for the rest. The elegantly lyrical pacing makes it equal parts fairy tale, music video, and distant memories.

Like someone made an entire film about James from Twin Peaks.