Mamanaranu Mamagoto

Years after she related to him the story of her parents’ death in a fire, for which – rightly or wrongly – she feels responsible, Japanese psychiatrist Dr. Sanada meets his former patient Azusa once again. Back then, she lambasted him for being wrong for the job. Back then, he let slip that she isn’t actually crazy. Now she’s a prostitute living in precarious circumstances in Los Angeles and is accused of murder, with her memories once again moving inexorably towards a fire. Sanada assesses her in the presence of an investigator who appears not to understand Japanese. Is Azusa now mentally ill for real? Was she back then? And why does the description of her tormentors upset him so?

Animated short film exploring the process of how spontaneously occurring events synchronize with each other due to timing and nostalgia. Featuring hand drawn/painted animation & sequences animated over top of 35mm film slides.

Zenkichi made a living by performing "Utsushi-E" to entertain the common people in early 19th century Japan.