Perfect Blue, directed by Satoshi Kon in 1997, is a prime example of surrealist anime. The film explores the themes of mental health introspection, identity, and the nature of reality in a dreamlike and disorienting way.
Plot and Premise of Perfect Blue
It tells the story of Mima Kirigoe, a pop idol who decides to leave her singing career to become an actress. However, as she begins her new acting career, Mima begins to experience a series of disturbing events.
She is stalked by a mysterious fan, and she begins to see hallucinations of her former self. As the film progresses, Mima’s mental state deteriorates. She becomes increasingly paranoid and delusional. She is unable to distinguish between reality and fantasy.
One day, Mima’s manager is found murdered. Mima becomes the prime suspect, but she is convinced that she is innocent. She begins to investigate the murder, but she is soon drawn into a web of deceit and paranoia. As the film reaches its climax, Mima is confronted by her doppelgänger. The two women fight, and Mima eventually kills her doppelgänger. However, it is unclear whether Mima has killed her real doppelgänger or whether she has simply killed a hallucination.
The film ends with Mima standing on a rooftop, overlooking the city. She is still unsure of what is real and what is not, but she is determined to move on with her life.
Mental Health Introspection
As the film progresses, Mima’s mental state deteriorates. She becomes increasingly paranoid and delusional. She is unable to distinguish between reality and fantasy.
Perfect Blue’s exploration of mental health introspection is both nuanced and disturbing. The film shows how easily a person’s mental state can be destabilized by stress and trauma. It also shows how difficult it can be to distinguish between reality and fantasy when one is suffering from a mental illness.
Elements of Surrealist Cinema
Perfect Blue employs a number of surrealist cinematic techniques. For example, the film often uses dreamlike imagery and symbolism. In one scene, Mima dreams that she is being chased by a giant bird. The bird can be seen as a symbol of Mima’s fear and anxiety.
The film also uses non-linear storytelling and jarring editing to create a sense of disorientation and unease. This reflects Mima’s own mental state as she becomes increasingly unhinged.
Main Takeaways
Perfect Blue is a particularly important film in the context of mental health awareness. It is a complex and challenging film, but it is also a rewarding one. It shows how easily a person’s mental state can be destabilized, and it challenges the stigma associated with mental illness.
The film is also a cautionary tale about the dangers of fame and the pressures of living in the public eye. Mima is constantly being bombarded by images of her perfect self, and this eventually takes a toll on her mental health.
Conclusion
Perfect Blue is a powerful and disturbing film that explores the themes of mental health introspection and the nature of reality in a surreal and disorienting way. The film is a prime example of surrealist anime, and it is considered to be one of the greatest anime films ever made.
What’s the difference between Monday Blue and Perfect Blue? One is a real anime, and the other is a feeling of despair that comes from having to go back to work after a weekend. Well, you won’t feel the latter after reading Mugen Monday. As for Perfect Blue, it will stay with you long after you watch it.