Umetsu is the brains behind both "A Kite" and the equally infamous or well known "Mezzo Forte" (and it's spin-off mini series "Mezzo : DSA"; Volume 1 out now in the USA). Additionally Umetsu is an animator, having worked on Akira, Barefoot Gen, Megazone 23, Tombstone for the Fireflies, A Wind Named Amnesia, and movies from both the Yurusei Yatsura series.
Read on...
As Umetsu explains on the disc, he had made an x-rated film that was very successful and was invited by Green Bunny to work on an original idea for an OVA (Original Video Animation - a straight to video title). In his mind was not an adult film, but a story of a female assasin. He compromised, causing a wonderful blend between momentary hardcore sex and sophisticated action movie.
This 1998, 60 minute feature is neatly split into 2 half-hour segments. The story revolves around Sawa (the female assasin in question) and Oburi (a male assasin), both working for Akai and Kanie. Sawa is the daughter of two of their previous victims, trapped in a heavily manipulative relationship - torn between sexual desire / need and the strong mental independance her job requires. Oburi is a hired-hand with more freedom, but still manipulated. The relationship between the two bosses and Sawa describes the emotional power over her : she is the Kite and they control the invisible strings.
At the heart of the film is a mix of fast paced action and detail of the relationships between the four main characters. You see them doing their jobs (ironically killing child molesters, child murderers, or anyone they're paid to), and living their own minimal independant lives, as well as experiencing the strange relationship they have between each other. Its not style over substance by any means, infact it's an incredibly layered piece, making it very rewatchable and viewable from many angles.
The animation is finely drawn and heavily outlined in black, with heavy shadows apparent often. The colours are bright yet muted, as often found in relatively low budget productions. The motion looks basic when the scenes are simple, and yet the action (the large part of the feature) is heavily detailed and painstakingly put together. The work is clearly very well planned and organise, and the story has been carefully plotted to be tight and layered.
This new edition of the film, from Kitty Media (part of Media Blasters) restores 20 particularly controversial seconds of flash-backs. Sawa can be seen at a presumably underage time of her life clearly engaging in graphic sex. It wasn't until recently (i am informed) that legislation cleared the way for animated representation of potentially or actually underage sex. It's clearly stated on both the front and back of the box and onscreen during the first moments the disc plays. Don't get too sidetracked by the issue as it's a major part of the representation of the deviously planned control over Sawa. I don't condone it persay, its purely a representation of perfectly possible events - and these are moments, no huge swathes of the film, so it doesn't feel overly exploitational.
Many may have heard about "A Kite" from various forums or review sites. I had gained preconceptions about the title before seeing it. I expected a more literal Hentai approach in the film. Actually, it's a sophisticated action movie with many layers - some touching, some familiar, some very unusual and some very perverted. The blend is masterful, and i sincerely rate it as one of the most impressive things i've seen this year. Great gorey action, great story, great animation : something individual.