Review of "Cats Are Alive": Surprises and emotions from a cat's perspective

"The Cat is Alive" - ​​A story about a cat seeking eternal life

The film "The Cat is Alive" was released on June 21, 1975 and is based on the novel of the same name by Katsumoto Saotome. The film was distributed by Toei and directed by Kai Shimada. Each episode is 70 minutes long and is written in a self-contained story format. It was produced by the Eien Soren Daiei Labor Union (now the Eien Roren Kadokawa Film Labor Union).

story

"The Cat is Alive" is the story of a cat's quest for eternal life. The protagonist, a cat, experiences a variety of things in the human world as he searches for who he is and what he wants. The story is told from the cat's point of view and offers insightful portrayals of various aspects of human society.

One day, the cat learns that an old book contains the secret to eternal life. The book is protected by humans, but the cat sets out on an adventure to obtain it. As he interacts with the people he meets along the way and overcomes difficult situations, the cat is forced to think deeply about the meaning of his own existence and the meaning of life.

character

The main character, a cat, is a curious and knowledge-hungry character. He is interested in the human world and grows up absorbing various knowledge. Cats are also very intelligent, and can understand human language and sometimes communicate with us. This cat character is at the center of the story and deeply moves the audience.

The story also features various people that the cat meets. Each of them has a different background and values, and the story progresses through their interactions with the cat. In particular, the old man that the cat meets in the process of searching for eternal life is portrayed as an important character. The old man gives the cat deep insight into eternal life and plays a role in delving deeper into the theme of the story.

Visuals and Music

The visuals of "The Cat is Alive" capture the characteristics of Japanese films from the 1970s well. In particular, the scenes depicted from the cat's point of view have a unique perspective and sense of color, and have the power to draw the audience into the world of the story. In addition, the scenes in which the cat explores human society realistically depict the cityscape and people's lives, reflecting the social situation in Japan at the time.

The music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this film. The accompanying music is composed of melodies that symbolize the cat's adventure and growth, and stirs emotions as the story unfolds. The songs used in the film are also used effectively to express the cat's feelings. These pieces of music deeply move the audience and enrich the worldview of the story.

Theme and Message

"The Cat is Alive" asks deep questions about the meaning and value of life through the story of a cat searching for eternal life. As the cat interacts with the people he meets in the process of searching for eternal life and overcomes difficult situations, he is forced to think deeply about his own existence and the meaning of life. This theme evokes deep empathy in the audience and provides an opportunity for them to think about their own lives.

This film also depicts the relationship between humans and animals. Through the interactions of cats with humans, it portrays the kindness and cruelty of humans, as well as the complexities of human society. These depictions encourage the audience to think deeply about the relationship between humans and animals, providing an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of symbiosis.

Evaluation and impact

"The Cat Is Alive" has been highly praised since its release. In particular, the story told from the cat's point of view and the realistic portrayal of human society have touched many audiences. The film also captures the characteristics of Japanese films from the 1970s well, and is also highly regarded as a work that reflects the social situation of the time.

This film also had a major impact on later works. In particular, it is said that stories with animals as the main characters and works depicting the relationship between humans and animals were influenced by this film. Furthermore, the themes and messages of this film resonate with many people even today, and are being reevaluated.

Recommendations and related works

I highly recommend "The Cat is Alive" to cat lovers and those who want a film that makes them think deeply about the relationship between humans and animals. Also, if you sympathize with the theme and message of this film, we recommend the following related works.

• "My Neighbor Totoro" - A Studio Ghibli masterpiece that depicts the coexistence of humans and animals.
• "The Cat Returns" - A fantasy film by Studio Ghibli with a cat as the main character.
• "Wolf Children: Ame and Yuki" - A touching story about the relationship between humans and animals.

These works share elements of themes and messages of "Cats Are Alive," and are sure to deeply move audiences. They will also provide an opportunity to think more deeply about the relationship between humans and animals.

Conclusion

"The Cat Is Alive" is a film that asks deep questions about the meaning and value of life through the story of a cat seeking eternal life. The story told from the cat's point of view and the realistic depiction of human society deeply move the audience and provide an opportunity to think about their own lives. The film also depicts the relationship between humans and animals, providing an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of symbiosis. Highly recommended for cat lovers and those looking for a film that will make them think deeply about the relationship between humans and animals.