My Dinner with Kon Satoshi

Andrew has tagged me with the My Dinner With Blank, meme. Here goes:

1. Pick a single person past or present who works in the film industry you would like to have dinner with. And tell us why you chose this person.

2. Set the table for your dinner. What would you eat? Would it be in a home or at a restaurant? And what would you wear? Feel free to elaborate on the details.

3. List five thoughtful questions you would ask this person during dinner.

4. When all is said and done, select six bloggers to pass this Meme along to.
(Not doing this one. Sorry, but the only person I could think to tap is the one who tagged me)

5. Link back to Lazy Eye Theatre, so people know the mastermind behind this Meme.

The stereotypical answer would be someone like Kurosawa Akira, but I don't know his films as well as I probably should. It's something that I've resolved to fix in the future. Moving into the Anime Medium, again it's tough to say. Miyazaki Hayao falls into the same category as Kurosawa, though my viewing record with his works is a bit better. What about Tomino Yoshiyuki? While he is the mastermind behind a good deal of anime that I've enjoyed, I did get to ask a question of him when I saw him at the 2006 Chicago International Film Festival, and frankly, I was left underwhelmed. Boy, this is going to be a tougher than I thought.
As I lean back in my chair and try to drum up some inspiration, my eyes naturally begin to wander toward my DVD racks, as is often the case as I think about what I want to write about in this blog that is my small corner of the internet. Over 300 DVDs sitting there, something has to be laying there amongst the crowds. Finally, I see it. Sitting between my copy of Akira and Otaku no Video (I really need to set aside some time to better organize these) sits Paranoia Agent and Paprika. Two of the works by Kon Satoshi. Jackpot.

What puts Kon above all these others? Compared to the others mentioned, he's a newcomer to the anime scene, but he's a newcomer with a certain punch. His works can leave an audience rolling with laughter or at the edge of their seats in anxiousness, often changing within the blink of an eye. It's part of his talent which is blurring the lines on so many things. Kon might not be the first name thought of when someone asks us to name an anime director, but the punch his films have is undeniable. A mind with so many creative ideas like his has got to be fun to chat with.

As for dinner, I'm packing my bags and meeting the man in Japan. (Let's face it, I'll take just about any chance I can to take a trip over there) And so long as it doesn't involve Tako (octopus) I'm letting him choose a favorite place for him to take me for a fun relaxed and casual chat. Doesn't have to be too fancy, and like any place on earth, trust the locals, they know where the good places to eat are. If Kon-San insists it's my choice, I'm voting for just some good zaru-soba from a konbini and chatting in the lounge at the studio. Maybe a some Sapporo beer to top if off too. This is one instance where I'd rather just be laid back and make it a low key chat.

Five Questions:
-Which of your works was the hardest to let go to be finished? If you could go back and keep working at one, continuing to improve it, which would it be?

-One of your best talents (in my opinion) is often blurring the line between reality and something from someone's imagination and animation is a tool that really assists in making this transition seem much more real. What do you think makes animation such a great art form to work in?

-Your works, along with many other anime titles are among the works that have been brought over to other audiences, especially in America. Do you think there is too much of "Japaneseness" that will be lost on viewers who aren't well versed in the native culture of these pieces? If yes, what do you feel is the best remedy for this problem is?

-What's one of your favorite stories from working on one of your projects?

-Are there any directors or films, Japanese or otherwise, that you feel have particularly inspired your style of filmmaking?