*NATSUKI DOCUMENTARY Finally Gets the Go Ahead for This Year!* || ALSO Film Friday: Perfect Blue (1997)
Added 2020-06-05 16:08:04 +0000 UTCDuring these admittedly not so great times, Natsuki’s upbeat attitude and unrelenting positivity have been sorely missed; both as a friend and a viewer.
Hell, even I enjoy watching Natsuki on screen as much as anyone.
Videos featuring him are often my favourite to edit given their sheer unpredictable nature.
So it felt great to catch up with him this week for the first time since March - and on the 2 year anniversary of Natsuki: The Movie - and work on some original ideas together.
But there was one thing above all else that I wanted to discuss; I needed to hear that he was genuinely prepared to try to quit smoking, if we were to make a documentary.
We’ve talked about it on and off and joked about doing a documentary focussed on Natsuki quitting his formidable addiction, but as I’ve edged closer and closer to picking up the camera and making it happen, I’ve felt Natsuki has always been somewhat reluctant.
Though I’ve always firmly believed that there’s a higher probability he’ll quit his addiction if the world’s cheering him on, we all know it won’t be easy. I mean, even in Natsuki: The Movie, in the very opening scene when I ask him when he plans to quit he remarks, “When I die. I’ll have to quit when I die.”
- Admittedly, not overly reassuring.
That answer has always haunted me though, because I can’t help but feel that the aforementioned death may come unnecessarily early if he doesn’t bloody stop smoking before he reaches 50.
However, if there is one good thing to come out of this damn virus, it seems it’s caused Natsuki to reflect on his health for once. Over a phone call back in April I could hear the fear in his voice, when he mentioned his vulnerability to the respiratory symptoms of the illness on account of his smoking.
In pondering his own mortality, it seems Natsuki began to question his addiction to smoking for the first time in his life.
Then yesterday, over a drink, when I asked him if he’d be willing to try to quit smoking once and for all later this year he finally looked me in the eye and said:
“Maybe I can do it. Let’s stop smoking. Fucking cigarettes.”
(Yes, his exact words in English. Classic Natsuki).
I knew he wasn’t fucking around. He was ready to go. And for me, that was all I needed to hear.
I needed to know we were in with a chance; that there was some hope.
Because without feeling any form of hope, I wouldn’t have the motivation to begin this arduous and intense journey.
So that it’s folks - it’s happening!
The finer details still need working out, but I’m finally 100% committed and keen to start filming in the Fall. It’s a journey that will likely take 3-6 months of filming (on and off), but a challenge I’m very much excited to embark on as a filmmaker and above all, as a friend. Because if we can pull this off and get Natsuki to quit smoking - something I never thought I’d see - then regardless of how the documentary turns out, we’ll have won.
In the meantime, I look forward to returning again later this month to see Natsuki, to film some new videos and potentially hold a live show with the man himself on Abroad Perspective.
And you can expect to hear more on this project again in the coming weeks folks - particularly as I’d greatly appreciate your input!
- Righteo, on with film Friday.
----------------------------------
Perfect Blue (1995), Director: Satoshi Kon
I was late to the world of anime. It’s a great source of embarrassment that I didn’t start taking the genre seriously until I moved to Japan; partly as a result of believing the genre wasn’t aimed at adults and partly due to being overwhelmed with an endless list of live action films I was working my way through.
However the turning point came when I discovered that many esteemed, contemporary western directors such as Darren Aronofsky or Christopher Nolan, were pinching ideas from Japanese anime filmmakers. One of those filmmakers was Satoshi Kon.
While he’s produced many great movies - and I’ve no doubt many will appear on film Friday in the coming months - today it makes sense to start with the movie that brought him to international attention, the haunting psychological thriller “Perfect Blue.”
‘Perfect Blue’ is something of an utter mind-fuck the first time you watch it. It’s one of two movies I’ve watched and truly had trouble following the narrative (along with David Lynch’s ‘Mulholland Drive’). But it makes the film all the more compelling for it, like assembling a puzzle as you piece together the mysterious narrative and disturbing characters.
The movie revolves around Mima Kirigoe, the lead singer in an idol group who quits her group to become an actress. However, the questionable acting roles she begins to undertake, begin to corrupt her innocent image, leading an obsessed fan to take extraordinary measures to remedy the situation in a desperate attempt to restore her innocent image.
As the film progresses Mima's sanity is brought to question, time and reality become distorted and for the audience it becomes increasingly difficult to understand where scenes begin and end. By participating in these subjective nightmares, it makes the film all the more engrossing.
Japan’s idol culture makes an intriguing topic, given the extremities of the relationships that take place between the idols and the fans, a topic that feels painfully relevant in recent years, given attacks on idols by disillusioned fans.
Last year, a stalker was able to establish an idol’s location in Tokyo through a photo she posted on instagram, by zooming in on the reflection in her eye and working out the setting of the nearby buildings. Terrifying.
Here’s the story: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50000234
I can’t quite put my finger on what it is I like about Perfect Blue, because in many ways the narrative is so ridiculous and confusing at times, it can seem undeniably convoluted.
But the artistic direction, disturbing characters and the richly drawn settings - whether it’s Mima’s bedroom or the streets of Tokyo - reel you in, in a way that most live action films seldom do. To watch “Perfect Blue” is to become a part of Mima’s distorted reality and to go along for the ride - no matter how uncomfortable that reality often turns out to be.
While you can rent/buy the movie on Amazon, somebody has recently uploaded the entire film to Youtube with English subtitles in high quality.
Youtube (English subs): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWMb8-3lnhI
Comments
“Fucking Ready!” - Natsuki probably
Alex Cheng
2021-06-27 12:03:55 +0000 UTCGo on Nastuki! We will all be cheering him on. What a great project!
2020-07-04 19:03:13 +0000 UTCGood luck to Nastuki on his journey to beat his addiction!!
Sammybunny711
2020-06-10 16:23:55 +0000 UTCChris, I discovered you a month ago and you've made the pandemic much more bearable. I've whole heartedly enjoy your videos. They helped keep me positive and want to plan for a trip to Japan next year. Stay safe out there!
2020-06-10 03:20:15 +0000 UTCMy brother quit after smoking for 30 years and he’s the most stubborn man I know. Natsuki, you can do it!
2020-06-08 17:57:22 +0000 UTCI'm more confident now than I was before, but no matter the outcome, we'll certainly find some sort of positive spin on it all. Hopefully he'll come out the other side having learned something about himself or having a new adventure or experience to draw from!
Abroad in Japan
2020-06-07 13:22:01 +0000 UTCYes Natsuki!!! I'm thrilled that this project is a go! I remember when my parents quit smoking, took a while but it was a relief. Took lots of our disapproval and a really bad neighbor who smoked a lot (their curtains were yellow from the smoke and their house smelled terrible) to the point where my parents could see how unappealing it was objectively. I wish you guys the best of effort!! Shinjiteiru! YES!! Perfect Blue is definitely one of my favorites. Welcome to the world of anime amigo, better late than never. Amazingly horrifying and I love the artwork. It likely inspired one of my favorite live-action movies Black Swan so that's a bonus. Also, definitely recommend Paprika from Satoshi Kon, it's even more bizarre but the animation and story is great. I still have weird dreams of it till this day though...
2020-06-07 07:11:09 +0000 UTCYES, GO NATSUKI!
Jimbo
2020-06-07 05:22:21 +0000 UTCAlso just finished watching Perfect Blue. Maybe not the best film for me to watch late at night, but boy it sure was a ride. Glad I finally got to watch one of Satoshi Kon's films!
2020-06-06 12:19:52 +0000 UTCI just watched Perfect Blue. My head hurts but I liked it a lot!😊
Judith Goudzwaard
2020-06-06 12:18:24 +0000 UTCamazing news for Natsuki! He probably doesnt realise that with this decision he extended his life span for a few more decades. Good to remember: he will gain weight after he quits, so he ought to start exercising from the start (this will also help him get rid of the stress and negative energy that will be piling on). Drinking coffee will be the hardest thing in the world because 99% of the smokers cannot drink coffee without lighting a cigarette. He could try to drink less coffee or quit completely (this will cause headaches so it will be very hard). Last point: he needs 100% support from ALL his friends and family (e.g. they shouldnt be offering him cigarettes or smoke in front of him etc). Im sure he is strong enough to go through all of this but it will be hard!
2020-06-06 10:57:51 +0000 UTCGambate Natsuki san!💪💪💪💪 You can do it, you golden diamond aura guy😊😊😊!!
Luciano Arrieta Martins
2020-06-06 03:33:31 +0000 UTCSooooo happy to hear Natsuki is willing to give it a try! Letting us watch from around the world will be a delight but more importantly, his health will be on the forefront and we all want what’s best for him 👍 Just watched Perfect Blue for the first time earlier this year. It’s a good one. That ending!!
2020-06-06 02:51:51 +0000 UTCI think and hope Natsuki can do it. But you also need to be prepared to end the documentary with a failure.
Johannes
2020-06-06 02:14:19 +0000 UTCPlease give my congratulations to Natsuki for willing to give it a shot! I am sure many of us are more than happy to cheer him on, but his own motivation and resolution are going to be the most important components. In prior videos and the movie, you mentioned Natsuki is a very heavy smoker. This is likely going to be a rough journey for him physically and psychologically, and I think for you too, as his friend recording it through the lens. While quitting smoking cold turkey is not impossible, some people do better with a planned-out stepwise program. It may take some time initially to just figure out what works and what doesn’t. Although this journey will be rough, I very much hope it will be a successful one. Quitting is possible, even for heavy smokers! A family member of mine, with 30+ years of smoking history, was finally able to kick the habit 6-7 years ago and has stayed off since. It is possible! 頑張ってください! Natsukiさん！
2020-06-06 02:08:11 +0000 UTCThat's great! I'm looking forward to it!
Tim Szczesuil
2020-06-06 01:20:54 +0000 UTCLet's go Natsuki!! I'm excited to see him take on this challenge and hopefully come out permanently successful. It would be so good for him. I'm ready to support him and you, Chris, all the way through this journey in whatever way possible!
H J
2020-06-06 00:40:00 +0000 UTCDon’t worry - it’s not a straight up horror film like Audition!
Abroad in Japan
2020-06-06 00:31:52 +0000 UTCWoooo fuck them cigarettes Natsuki, we believe in you!! And good luck with the doco Chris, no doubt it's gonna turn out amazing 😊
2020-06-05 21:36:29 +0000 UTCYaaay, Satoshi Kon. I assume this won't be the last one of his movies you'll recommend. I think you've mentioned that Millenium Actress is your favorite but personally I prefer this one, one of the most memorable and unique psychological thrillers out there. I recommend everyone to watch this video on YouTube about how these two movies are connected: https://youtu.be/Shtu4D4A_1w
Eels
2020-06-05 20:33:40 +0000 UTCAnd holy shit that article link is frightening. 😰 Reminds me of a time some years ago when myself and a few friends ran a dog group, and i had booted a member for being horridly racist to several others in a thread (and he didnt even own a dog? Lol), and he chose to actively stalk me and one of the other admins for nearly a year while being grotesquely angry for our removal of him from the group. Was definitely not a fun time, and later learned he regularly did this to mostly women in other pet groups as well. People really do just suck. 😞
Jewel - (Freyja's Konjures)
2020-06-05 18:33:04 +0000 UTCSo happy Natsuki is on board with kicking the habit. 💙 He'll be all the better for it in the long run, and we are all here to rally in his corner, 100%. ✨😊🎉
Jewel - (Freyja's Konjures)
2020-06-05 18:18:34 +0000 UTCAmazing! Quitting smoking is the hardest thing I've ever done. I highly reccomend Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Smoking. It is available in Japanese. It kind of reframed the whole smoking thing, but really relies on the individual's desire to genuinely stop. It's also a general method of using positive psychology to quit addictions. Also, it's kinda low key brainwashing you while you read it.
ShezInJapan
2020-06-05 18:15:58 +0000 UTCAll of Satoshi Kon's work is spectacular. Gone way to soon. RIP
M
2020-06-05 18:11:53 +0000 UTCYes, we need Natsuki to live a long and healthy life! The world would be a better place with more Natsukis around
2020-06-05 17:59:29 +0000 UTCReally hope that your efforts with Natsuki pay off! He’s such fun to watch and I can imagine being around is grand as well. He probably already knows this but your subscribers like me are rooting for him to kick this addiction and be able to live free from it. There’s no need to suffer if you can do something about it. That I know. Great stuff Chris!
Heytony
2020-06-05 17:46:13 +0000 UTCYeah Natsuki!! Fucking cigarettes! 😆 You can do it buddy. 👏👏👏
Laura Beaumont
2020-06-05 17:43:22 +0000 UTCLike I said on YouTube I am a ex smoker so what you are doing to encourage natsuki is amazing! Good luck Chris can't wait to go with you guys on this journey!
Ben Gilman
2020-06-05 16:59:48 +0000 UTCGreat news! Go Natsuki! And good luck to you Chris! Good to see you pushing your limits as a filmmaker! 🤜🤛
2020-06-05 16:58:14 +0000 UTCCan I stay seated this time or will I be watching the movie from behind the couch again this week..?
Judith Goudzwaard
2020-06-05 16:44:57 +0000 UTCI hope all goes well for Natsuki! I feel like Natsuki’s journey to stop smoking will inspire other smokers (like myself) to do the same. I just feel like the documentary will be a great source of inspiration to many people. I really hope Natsuki can do it :)
2020-06-05 16:30:09 +0000 UTCGood luck to Natsuki! As someone who has worked in addiction treatment, I'm feeling nervous about seeing how this goes. I hope the pressure and guilt of having so many people watching doesn't hinder such a personal process as overcoming addiction. I know your heart's in the right place, and it will be wonderful if all goes well. Sending all the best.
Lady Long Limbs
2020-06-05 16:24:17 +0000 UTCGo on Natsuki, you can do it! We are all behind you mate.
Anna D
2020-06-05 16:23:51 +0000 UTCI quit smoking last year and I know how difficult dependence and withdrawal can be. Sadly I only lasted six months. 😿 It’s good he has close friends and family to support him. Natsuki just say and think, “Fuck a cigarette!”
2020-06-05 16:23:32 +0000 UTCGreat choice there with Perfect Blue. Actually, every single thing from Satoshi Kon (who regrettably passed in 2010 from pancreatic cancer at the age of 46) is well worth watching ; my own favorites being Millenium Actress (2001) and TV series Paranoia Agent (2004). Oh, and great news about Natsuki :)
Nicolas G.
2020-06-05 16:21:44 +0000 UTCI'm so glad to hear that Natsuki is ready to do this for real! I'll be cheering him on the whole way.
Argus9 (Jonathan)
2020-06-05 16:21:43 +0000 UTCNatsuki live show would be hype
2020-06-05 16:19:20 +0000 UTCAwesome! Can’t wait!!!😺 Haven’t seen that movie. Before the current situation I got to see a screening of Tokyo Godfathers. It utterly amazed me. It’s an anime Christmas story and it was completely not what I was expecting from the title.
2020-06-05 16:18:05 +0000 UTCThose are awesome news! Very happy for Natsuki. We'll be cheering for him.
2020-06-05 16:14:11 +0000 UTCblocked over here
Stefan
2020-06-05 16:14:10 +0000 UTC
