Tonight I stumbled across the film “An”, which refers to sweet red bean paste, when looking for something to watch while I studied.
Long story short, there was very little studying and lots of crying into my t-shirt.
I like a good emotional film that doesn’t leave me feeling manipulated. It can be a bit predictable, but if it’s simple and it’s written and shot well, I’ll probably enjoy it. I can’t stand films that manipulate emotions through overuse of music or cliche set-ups, but give me a quiet film with a lot of trees and silence and character studies, and I’m a sure sucker.
Anyway, “An” caught me pretty quickly through it’s quietness and it’s beautiful camera work, and well- let’s be honest- all the dorayaki and sweet bean paste. Sold. I’m a consummate foodie and beautiful and well appreciated food in a film will tip me over from mild interest to avid consumption.
But then one of the characters said this: 「こちらに非はない積りで生きていても、世界の無理解に押しつぶされてしまうことはあります。」
More or less “Even though we hope to move through life without being at a disadvantage, sometimes we are crushed by the ignorance of the world.”
And I just thought…yes. Those are the words.
Westering 