Based on a series of fantasy books by Japanese author Nahoko Uehashi, the animated film The Deer King begins with a chain gang of slaves forced to work in salt mining. While they and their prisoners are sleeping, a herd of wolves enters the mine, biting hundreds and reporting a deadly illness. Two humans, a former soldier Van (Shinichi Tsutsumi) and an orphan Yuna (Jade Kimura), managed to survive. The two fled to the countryside, but devote themselves to finding a cure for the illness that killed others. The film directed by Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji follows her length to protect her, even if she finds Van’s gentle relationship with Yuna and his malicious powers piled up. I am.
The mysterious illness only infects and kills the people of Zor who invaded the country of Aquafa 10 years ago, making many believe that the illness is the result of a curse that protects Aquafa. Concerned that if the illness spreads, his people’s control in the area could be lost, Emperor Zor dispatches a doctor, Hausal (Ryoma Takeuchi), to find a cure. Van, who believes Hohsalle can help infected, lands at the center of two seemingly contradictory forces: spirituality and modern medicine.
The film is a transition that emphasizes the intersection of the land and the human body, gently crafted and beautifully animated. The last moment doesn’t stick to the landing completely, but the characters all have a clear motive, and the political theme is clearly woven into the whole, but it doesn’t overwhelm the movie. They are secondary to the relationship between the depiction of nature and the character.
Deer King
It was rated R for violence. Japanese, with subtitles. Execution time: 2 hours. At the theater.
