Paprika, directed by Satoshi Kon (sci-fi movie, 2006)

[lb_lee]

"Implanting dreams into other people's heads is terrorism."

Blurb: Japanese animated movie about a group of therapists working on an experimental device that allows people to enter each other's dreams. When the device is stolen, reality starts unraveling like a cheap sock. The title character is a therapist's headmate who does the dreamwork, while the therapist handles the "real" world.

Why is it worth your time? It's really good. Kon was (RIP) a master of mashing reality with animation. The trippy imagery, thoughtful concept, and sheer density of visual imagery makes this movie better upon subsequent rewatches; we notice something new every time. The music is also great. Plus, you know, sometimes you want to watch a multi save reality with psychological agility.

Plural Tags: switching, no abuse discussion, a LOT of realitymashing/dreamworld stuff

Content Warnings: In comments below; contains spoilers.

Accessibility Notes: available in Japanese and English, subtitles and dubbed, on DVD and streaming. (For now, anyway. We aren't going to even ATTEMPT to keep track of streaming media.)

Comments

Re: Content warnings

[feotakahari]

There’s some suicide imagery and a pedophilia reference during the parade. (The men jumping off the building, and the men looking up young girls’ skirts while talking about how youth should be appreciated before it ripens.)

In a previous post, I compared the parade to The Greatest Show Unearthed. People feel an impulse, and they follow that impulse, no matter what it is.

Re: Content warnings

[lb_lee]

Sneak: Ooh, good point, I forgot about those! And the parade in Paprika is still how we conceptualize our own ultimate fail-state--everything is cheerful nonsense until it really isn't!

Re: Content warnings

[lb_lee]

Added content warnings: fatphobia towards Tokita. Also, EVERYONE wants to sleep with the multiple.