by Lisa Nystrom
Worth: $17.50
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Melbourne International Film Festival
Cast:
Natsumi Kawaida, Takeo Otsuka, Nobuo Tobita, Megumi Han, Natsumi Fujiwara
Intro:
… sweetly humorous …
Funny, heartfelt, and bursting with imagination, stepping into the world of the Hokkyoku Department Store is just like stepping into the pages of a beloved storybook. In a fantastical world where animals of all shapes and sizes are the customers, with a dedicated team of humans to help guide them and fulfill their every wish, overly enthusiastic Akino is the newest trainee hoping to earn her place in customer service in the coveted role of Concierge.
Director Yoshimi Itazu helms his first feature film with this adaptation of Tsuchika Nishimura’s manga. Having previously worked as an animator and series director for Production I.G, a studio known for hyper-realist, sophisticated, and occasionally brutal works such as Ghost in the Shell, Itazu is breaking the mould with this sweetly humorous debut.
The successful combination of goofy and sincere is a credit to both the writing and to the strong performances of the cast. Natsumi Kawaida as Akino is delightfully endearing from the first moment she enters the frame, a whirlwind of excitement and determination. Meanwhile Mr. Woolly, a large yet unassuming woolly mammoth, is far less dynamic. He relies almost entirely on the subtle yet intricate detail in his design provided by Chiyo Morita and the animation department, and the layered emotion in his voice brought to life by Kenjirō Tsuda, combining to make each moment that he shares the screen feel weighted and important.
Itazu has spoken about wanting to create art that feels relatable and real for audiences of all cultural backgrounds. The visceral reaction of service workers around the globe as they witness Akino attempt to placate an entitled shopper with a god complex is no doubt an experience that will transcend language barriers. Woven in amongst the quirkiness and cuteness is a more emotionally complex message about the importance of conservation of endangered species. Many of the patrons of the Hokkyoku Department Store are the last of their kind, as a consequence of human interference. Their stories are touching and yet never heavy handed, tackling a difficult subject matter without being didactic or overbearing. There’s no ulterior motive here, beyond the ever-important reminder to treat the world around you with care. It’s a simple but enchanting world to visit, and with a run time of just 70 minutes, will leave you wishing you could stay a little longer.
