"Promise" A moving story about the water and greenery of Africa - Review and Recommendation

The appeal and evaluation of "The Promise: Water and Greenery in Africa"

"The Promise" is a short animated film released in 1988. This film was produced as an original anime and screened in theaters. In just 16 minutes, it succeeds in conveying a profound message, and we will introduce the background, production team, and appeal of the film in detail.

Overview

"The Promise: Africa's Water and Greenery" was released on February 2, 1988, and is a one-episode short animation. The original story is by Tetsu Hanasaki, the director is Kimiro Yabuki, and the production involves Hideyo Murayama and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The film has the theme of water and greenery in Africa, and depicts environmental issues and the importance of international cooperation.

Background

This work was produced as part of a project by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (now the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA). In the late 1980s, global environmental issues were beginning to attract attention, and desertification and water resource problems in Africa were becoming more serious. In this context, JICA aimed to use the medium of animation to communicate the current situation in Africa and the need for international cooperation to the general public.

The production team was made up of staff who were active in the anime industry at the time. The animation director was Hiroshi Wagatsuma, the screenplay was written by the original author Tetsu Hanasaki, the cinematographer was Yoshiyuki Tamagawa, the art direction was Yukihiro Yokoyama, the editor was Yutaka Senkura, and the music was by Katsutoshi Nagasawa. This team worked together to create a work that conveys a profound message in a short space of time.

story

The story of "The Promise: A Village in Africa" ​​is set in a village in Africa. The villagers are struggling to find water as desertification progresses. Meanwhile, staff from the Japan International Cooperation Agency visit the village and begin a project to dig a well. The film depicts the friendship and hope that are born in the process of digging the well, as well as the strength to overcome difficulties, as they work together with the villagers.

At the climax of the story, the well is completed and the villagers express their joy at having water. In this scene, the moving depiction of the moment when the water starts to flow is impressive and conveys a strong message to the audience. At the end of the work, the importance of international cooperation and hope for the future are discussed, deeply moving the audience.

character

The main characters in this work are a young village boy and a staff member of the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The boy symbolizes the current situation of the village, which is desperate for water, and the story progresses from his perspective. Meanwhile, the staff member of the Japan International Cooperation Agency leads the project to dig a well, working together with the villagers to overcome difficulties. Through these characters, the significance of international cooperation and the bonds between people are depicted.

Animation Features

The animation for "The Promise" was produced using the animation techniques of the 1980s. In particular, the depictions of the desert landscape and well digging scenes are realistic and beautiful, leaving a strong impression on viewers. In addition, the characters' expressions and movements are drawn in detail, effectively expressing emotional changes and drama.

Animation director Hiroshi Wagatsuma was particular about the characters' expressions and movements, and succeeded in making the viewers empathize with the characters. Art director Yukihiro Yokoyama also realistically reproduced the African landscape, contributing to enhancing the atmosphere of the work. Furthermore, music director Katsutoshi Nagasawa provided moving music that matched the theme of the work, touching the hearts of viewers.

Evaluation and impact

"The Promise" was highly praised when it was released. It was especially praised for its success in conveying a profound message in a short time. It was also recognized for its educational value as a work that depicts the importance of international cooperation.

This work helped to raise awareness of the activities of the Japan International Cooperation Agency and helped many people understand the current situation in Africa and the need for international cooperation. It has also been praised for showing new possibilities for depicting environmental and social issues through the medium of animation.

Recommendations and how to watch

"The Promise" conveys a profound message in a short time, and is a work that can be recommended to a wide range of age groups. It is especially a must-see for those interested in environmental issues and international cooperation. It is also recommended for those interested in the animation techniques and production background of the 1980s.

This work is now available on DVD and on the Internet. In particular, you can watch this work for free on the official website of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). You may also be able to watch it in libraries or school audiovisual rooms, so be sure to check.

summary

"The Promise" is a short animated film released in 1988, with the theme of water and greenery in Africa. It was produced as a project by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and depicts environmental issues and the importance of international cooperation. The production team was made up of staff who were active in the animation industry at the time, and they succeeded in conveying a profound message in a short time. This work was highly praised when it was released, and became a catalyst for widely spreading awareness of the importance of international cooperation. It is a film that can be recommended to a wide range of age groups, so please give it a watch.