Speaker 1 (00:00:00): Art Palace is sponsored by P N C Bank coming up on Art Palace Speaker 2 (00:00:07): In Japan. Usually horror stories, everyone start talking about scary story around summertime. Speaker 1 (00:00:27): Welcome to Art Palace, produced by Cincinnati Art Museum. This is your host, Russell eig. Here at the Art Palace, we meet cool people and then talk to them about art. Today's cool person is Nasco Dyer, who is chatting with me about the Japanese film House from 1977. House will be a part of our free horror film fest on October 15. Speaker 2 (00:00:57): My name is Nasco. Hi Dyer. I didn't have a middle name, but once I got married I made my maiden name to the middle name. Speaker 1 (00:01:05): So Speaker 2 (00:01:06): That was my maiden name. Hi is my maiden name, and I took my husband's last name, Dyer. So my full name is Nasco Dyer. I am originally from Tokyo. I have a family in Tokyo. Still all my family, my mom, my dad, my sister three years older than me. I'm the only one in United States except my aunt lives in Las Vegas. Speaker 1 (00:01:31): Okay, Speaker 2 (00:01:32): Everyone ask me why from Tokyo to here? Speaker 1 (00:01:37): It is a good question. Speaker 2 (00:01:37): That is always the question I get. So my family always had international students, hosted international students. So my house, we always had a students from United States just during a summer for short term college students, and we also took them to tourist spots. They don't usually get to go. So that's how I got introduced to the United States culture. Speaker 1 (00:02:05): And Speaker 2 (00:02:06): One of the students that we kept in touch, she invited me to stay at her house and go to high school when I was high school students. So that was in Georgetown, Kentucky. She was teaching Asian art. So the reason she was in Tokyo was she was studying Asian art as a student college student. And then she graduate, she became a professor at Georgetown College in Kentucky, and she taught Asian art. Okay. So high school junior. I was a exchange student at Georgetown, Kentucky. So for one year I was there. It was a big culture difference. Yeah. Speaker 1 (00:02:45): Tell me, I want to know, what was your impression of American High School coming from Japan? Speaker 2 (00:02:52): I guess I was in Japan. I was watching on the tv, what's that? 1 0 9 9 9 0 2 1. Speaker 1 (00:03:00): Oh, Speaker 2 (00:03:00): Yes. I was watching in Japan. So that was all I pictured to be my high school life in the United States. But it was totally different. Not very, it was a cow all around. And if you don't have a car, you don't get to go anywhere. Grew up in Tokyo, I didn't need a car. So it was kind of freedom to me. I go to school and on the way coming back home, I get to stop by anywhere I want. That was freedom. And then Senior Georgetown, Kentucky, all of a sudden I was like, I cannot go anywhere. Speaker 2 (00:03:39): And also my English was horrible, horrible at the time, and all I could say was like, hi, how are you? But it was tough year. But during that time because of that, during that time, I feel like who I am right now, I really focus on things I like. During the time art, I got more deep into the art. I start creating more, I start doing more graphic designs during a time. So it's definitely, if I were in Tokyo during a time, I will be busy hanging out with my friend, being cool, going to the party, going to Karaoke Box. At the time, karaoke box was huge in Japan, so yeah, it's Speaker 1 (00:04:22): Karaoke box. Speaker 2 (00:04:23): Yeah, it's called, what is that? Karaoke box. So you lent up Loom. Speaker 1 (00:04:27): Oh, it's just like when it's like a room, like Speaker 2 (00:04:29): A private room, but we call it Karaoke Box. I like karaoke Doing box. Speaker 1 (00:04:34): Got it, got it. Okay. Speaker 2 (00:04:35): All my friend after school, you they go to Karaoke box and sing a song. But I didn't have that kind of junior high school. But I really focus on myself during that. Yeah, that's how I start here. The life in the United States. So Speaker 1 (00:04:54): Did you go back to Japan and then come back for college? A little bit? Speaker 2 (00:04:58): Yeah. So I graduate junior high school in Kentucky School in Japan starts April. So when I got back, I still had a senior year left, Speaker 1 (00:05:13): And Speaker 2 (00:05:13): I was going to step down one year grade down, because I missed most of half of my senior year in Japan, senior year in Japan. But my school was like, you wanted to graduate with your friend, so go ahead to go. So I actually have a two diploma high school diploma, one in Kentucky and one in Tokyo. Speaker 1 (00:05:35): Oh, wow. Speaker 2 (00:05:36): Kind of interesting. But it doesn't do anything. I have two diplomas from high school. How many times have Speaker 1 (00:05:41): You been asked to show your high school Speaker 2 (00:05:43): Diploma Speaker 1 (00:05:43): Ever? Speaker 2 (00:05:44): Right. So after I graduate high school, I was going to go to college in Japan, but to get into college, you have to pass the exam. Speaker 1 (00:05:56): Oh yeah, I've heard about this. Speaker 2 (00:05:58): Because Speaker 1 (00:05:58): That's a big thing. It's Speaker 2 (00:06:00): A big thing. They Speaker 1 (00:06:00): Have the cram schools where Speaker 2 (00:06:02): People Speaker 1 (00:06:02): Just are studying to try to do these tests. Yeah, Speaker 2 (00:06:05): I've heard of this. I already missed half year, and I was not really a big fan of the idea. You study hard to get in, but then graduating, it's easy. So lots of people study hard to get in, but once they get in, they relax and kind of start going out praying with friends. And I didn't like the idea. So I decided to come to the United States. I still had a hostile family here, a host mom here. So I stayed with my host mom for two years, one year. And then I felt more confident living by myself. So I moved to Dormitory for one year, and then I realized I wanted to study more art, so I transferred to Art Academy. Speaker 1 (00:06:56): Oh, okay. All Speaker 2 (00:06:57): So two years. Yeah, that's how I started here. Speaker 1 (00:07:02): And I know you've been sort of on and off. I think you've been doing some teaching with art still, and you did a project with the C A C A while back, didn't Speaker 2 (00:07:11): You? Yeah, I did Artworks. Speaker 1 (00:07:13): Artworks, Speaker 2 (00:07:14): Yeah. Yeah, I worked with Artworks couple of years joining a summer mural painting. Oh, actually I didn't do the mural painting, but I did the premiers painting a piano. Speaker 1 (00:07:26): Okay. Speaker 2 (00:07:26): Yeah, that was huge in Cincinnati. And through that I was introduced to she a museum. Speaker 1 (00:07:34): The UN Museum. Speaker 2 (00:07:35): Yeah, the UN Museum. It was fun project to work on. I am a little kid, so I was very excited. That was perfect project for me. My art has been always playful. It's not like, whoa, art. My art was always like, touch it, feel Speaker 1 (00:07:52): It. Yeah. What did you study when you were at the art academy? What was your sort Speaker 2 (00:07:56): Of focus? I studied a graphic design, communication art, graphic design. So I don't know. I don't know, maybe this is also Japanese thing in Japan to be an artist, it takes all your life. So I'm still hesitate to say myself like, oh, I'm an artist. I don't, I dunno. Somehow I cannot say it. I'm more like commercial art. Yeah, Speaker 1 (00:08:23): That's still legit. You make stuff. So I want to talk a little bit about the movie House with you. And the reason we're talking about this is because we're going to be showing it as a part of our horror film fest, which is on October 15th. Now, we've actually changed dates. We started on the ninth, and then we had to change it from an indoor event to an outdoor event, which then when it was outdoors, it conflicted with a wedding. So we had all of these changes. So we finally were set. We're going to be on October 15th, which is a Friday, and there's two movies, house, which is going to be the first movie. It's going to start at seven 30, and this is going to be in the parking lot right next to where Art Climb starts, where the stairs go down. So it'll be right up here in the main parking lot. Speaker 1 (00:09:11): We'll have a big screen. You can't miss it. So House will be the first movie, which is what we're going to talk about. And then the second movie is Carnival of Souls, and that's, we're going to start at nine 30 and we'll have a little break between the two movies so people can get a drink, go to the bathroom, anything like that. And it's totally free too. So if you want to check out what we're about to talk about, come on out and see it. And when I asked you to talk about this movie, it sounded like you had seen it before so Speaker 2 (00:09:44): Long time ago. Yeah. Speaker 1 (00:09:45): I was curious, when did you see it and what was your kind of memory of it? Speaker 2 (00:09:49): Yeah, not definitely in Japan. I was not born. Speaker 1 (00:09:54): This movie Speaker 2 (00:09:55): Was made, so I know I watched it in the United States, and then I didn't remember for a lot of details, but I remember it was definitely shocking Speaker 1 (00:10:07): And Speaker 2 (00:10:07): Jaw dropping. Speaker 1 (00:10:12): Yeah. Well, it probably would've been, you might've seen it around, I think it didn't come out in the United States until 2009 Speaker 2 (00:10:20): For a while, like 30 years or something like that. Speaker 1 (00:10:23): So that's when I think it was finally released here. So I think I saw it maybe a couple years after that, maybe around 2010 or 11. I think that was when I first saw it. And it was just this thing. I'd remember seeing the poster for it and thinking, what is this movie, this big cat? And it's like, Speaker 2 (00:10:43): It's definitely poster is eye catching too, a graphic designer. It's like, whoa. It's Speaker 1 (00:10:49): Such a good poster. I Speaker 2 (00:10:50): Think it's a good poster. And I was looking like who has designed that poster? Speaker 1 (00:10:55): And Speaker 2 (00:10:55): I don't know, Speaker 1 (00:10:56): I'm not sure. That's a good question. I should have done more research on that because I'm not sure if that poster wasn't original poster or if it was something that came around in 2009 when it was re-released here. I don't know. I'm not really sure because I've seen, so that's a great question. That image is definitely almost straight out of the movie. There's a shot that looks like that cat's face when they see the painting of the cat and it transforms by Speaker 2 (00:11:25): The big mouse. Speaker 1 (00:11:26): Yeah. So I probably saw it around the same time you did. And I'm like, what I thought we would do is we're going to just kind of go through some of the beginning of the movie and give kind, just we can throw out anything. We think about it as we talk about it. If you have thoughts like, oh yeah, this is anything you're thinking about these parts, and then at a certain point we'll just kind of let go of the plot because the movie kind of does too. Speaker 2 (00:11:57): It does. It's just everything is in there. Speaker 1 (00:12:00): Yeah. You kind of get to a point where it's like, I was trying to make notes about this plot, and there was a certain point where the beginning of the movie, it's kind of like, this leads to this, leads to this leads to this. It's a traditional plot. And then there's a point where my notes stopped making sense because I was writing what's happening and they don't really seem to connect anymore. Speaker 2 (00:12:19): That's interesting you said that because my notes are here too. It's like, oh, Speaker 1 (00:12:24): Yeah, yeah. So my favorite, so the movie, we should also say the movie you mentioned you were not born yet when it came out. I was not born yet either. So it came out in 1977. And it's directed by No Boko Obayashi, Speaker 2 (00:12:43): Is Speaker 1 (00:12:43): That right? Speaker 2 (00:12:44): Yep. Speaker 1 (00:12:44): Okay. I love, so this movie begins, well actually first, I mean, you first see the Toho production screen, Speaker 2 (00:12:53): Which, Speaker 1 (00:12:53): So if you've watched a Godzilla movie, you're familiar with Toho. Speaker 2 (00:12:58): Topo is a big movie company, so Speaker 1 (00:13:01): It's Speaker 2 (00:13:01): Legit, Speaker 1 (00:13:02): Which is kind of surprising that this movie is so strange and it's coming out of a company that's such a mainstream movie company as Toho, I Speaker 2 (00:13:13): Felt like, I think that's why it was a big control bus movie Speaker 1 (00:13:18): In Speaker 2 (00:13:18): Japan for a while. I asked my sister and a couple of my friends, if they have seen it, this movie, a lot of my friends and my sister says, no. I'm like, oh, Speaker 1 (00:13:30): Really? I wonder, are Americans more obsessed with this movie than Japanese people Speaker 2 (00:13:37): Could be, or it's just so indie movie. Speaker 1 (00:13:41): It's such a strange cult movie. Speaker 2 (00:13:44): I feel like there's either, some people really love it and some people are like, no, this either not hate it, but not really appreciate it. Speaker 1 (00:13:53): Yeah, I don't think it Speaker 2 (00:13:54): Was, I appreciate it. Speaker 1 (00:13:55): I don't think when it came out, it was loved by critics. Certainly. I think they didn't know what to make of it, what Speaker 2 (00:14:01): To say. Speaker 1 (00:14:02): Well and mean. Just to talk about the seventies and the movies that were coming out in the seventies, I think both in Japan and here were very realistic. People were trying to make these sort of gritty, realistic movies that showed life how it really was. And then this movie is the exact opposite. Speaker 2 (00:14:20): Opposite. It's Speaker 1 (00:14:21): Trying to show you something that is so unreal, Speaker 2 (00:14:25): Unexpected, be psychedelic and Speaker 1 (00:14:29): Oh, yeah. Yeah, very psychedelic. The opening. So after that, I love too, the first thing you see is it just says a movie. It tells you we're watching a movie, a Speaker 2 (00:14:40): Movie, Speaker 1 (00:14:42): And then you see the title, which is animated. So already it's like everything is this sort of weird fantasy world, Speaker 2 (00:14:50): Right? Fantasy. Yeah. Speaker 1 (00:14:52): Yeah. I mean actually that's a lot of times people will call it a horror fantasy because horror doesn't quite feel right. Speaker 2 (00:15:01): No, Speaker 1 (00:15:02): It Speaker 2 (00:15:03): Does not. It's not like glory scary. Speaker 1 (00:15:06): No, I mean, this movie's not ever scary. I mean, there are parts that are a little eerie. It's so hard to put your finger on because there are things that a few moments in it, I'm like, oh, in another movie, this might actually be scary. Speaker 2 (00:15:22): Yeah. There's scene especially, I got creeped out was the girls taking a bus and the hairs crawling her shoulder. Speaker 1 (00:15:32): I Speaker 2 (00:15:32): Don't know. Something about long black hair always. Speaker 1 (00:15:37): It's like, yeah, I mean, that's a really creepy scene. Or what I was thinking of too, when the girls, they're looking for gorgeous, this is really deep into the plot, and they go upstairs and they see her in that kimono and with the whole bridal outfit, Speaker 2 (00:15:54): But Speaker 1 (00:15:55): It's shot with a flashlight. It almost looks like a found footage kind of Speaker 2 (00:16:01): Movie. Speaker 1 (00:16:02): And the way when she turns around and she's all dressed up, I don't know. That scene is really eerie in a way, but because everything else around it has been so silly. The movie makes you feel safe, I think in a way that it sets up, like we're saying, it says it's a movie really early on and does everything to show you this is not real, that it's hard to ever be truly afraid of it. Speaker 2 (00:16:27): Right. Speaker 1 (00:16:27): Yeah. And the title, I mean, it's interesting. Another thing I noticed is there's so much English in this movie. Speaker 2 (00:16:36): Yes, it is. It's really modern Speaker 1 (00:16:38): Feel Speaker 2 (00:16:39): To it. Speaker 1 (00:16:40): The title is in English. Speaker 2 (00:16:42): I think that was super new in seventies Movie too, Speaker 1 (00:16:47): To just have an English title, right? Yeah. I mean, it's written in English, and then sometimes if you see it written in Japanese, it's just the phonetic spelling of the English word. So it's not the Japanese word for house, it's just Speaker 2 (00:17:02): The Speaker 1 (00:17:02): English word, house. Speaker 2 (00:17:03): House. And then music too. Music is, there's, oh Speaker 1 (00:17:07): Yeah, there's a lot of English music. Speaker 2 (00:17:08): English music, and yeah, there's definitely a lot of culture influenced. Speaker 1 (00:17:13): Well, a lot of the characters' names I noticed are also just the English words in some cases, or a sort of abbreviation of them in some cases. Speaker 2 (00:17:22): Yeah, it's definitely not real name. They use nickname. Speaker 1 (00:17:26): And Speaker 2 (00:17:26): That was definitely a new concept. Speaker 1 (00:17:29): So when the story starts, we first meet two of these girls at school, and their names, like you're saying, are gorgeous, Speaker 2 (00:17:37): Gorgeous, and Speaker 1 (00:17:38): Fantasy. Speaker 2 (00:17:39): Fantasy. And then that explains their character too, Speaker 1 (00:17:43): Right? Speaker 2 (00:17:44): Yes. Gorgeous. Pretty is gorgeous. And fantasy is fantasy. Speaker 1 (00:17:49): She's sort of a daydreamer, Speaker 2 (00:17:51): Worried things, imagine things. Speaker 1 (00:17:55): And they're doing a sort of photo shoot where gorgeous is kind of looks like a ghost, which is sort of setting up stuff for later, I guess. And so then they're sort of planning a summer vacation. Gorgeous is supposed to go to a villa with her dad, and the other girls in their group are going to a training camp, Speaker 2 (00:18:16): Which that's typical, so Oh, really? I went to the training camp too during a summer. That's like little high school things old student does in Japan. If you belong to sports team or music team, they have a little summer camp training. Speaker 1 (00:18:33): And Speaker 2 (00:18:33): I was in the sports team, so I did went to the training. So that kind of made me a little, that felt Speaker 1 (00:18:39): Real. Yeah. Speaker 2 (00:18:39): Yeah. Very be all nonstrategic to me. Speaker 1 (00:18:42): Yeah. And they're very excited to go with Mr. Toga, who they all seem to think is very sexy, Speaker 2 (00:18:50): Which is, I thought that was kind of funny too. To me. He's like comedian, Speaker 1 (00:18:54): But when you see him, you're like, that's who they're all excited about. Mr. Toga. I don't know. Yeah. He is very kind of like this goofy acting guy. So gorgeous. She goes home and talks with her dad, who apparently is a film composer, Speaker 2 (00:19:14): Very modern, very modern, Speaker 1 (00:19:16): And this is where her dad drops on her, that instead of introducing this woman to her first, he goes ahead and tells her, here's your new mom. And then this woman comes out, and it is the most amazing entrance. Speaker 2 (00:19:35): Yes. All the airs blowing, and it's just so dreamy. The boys get echoed and yes, it's definitely over the top. Yeah. Speaker 1 (00:19:45): I mean, I remember the first time I watched this movie, this scene. I remember when they get there and you see the house and you see that out on this kind of little balcony or something, and the sky is just the most painted backdrop, and it's not even trying to trick you into thinking it's real. It looks like Gone with the Wind or something. So Speaker 2 (00:20:06): It get lady dreamy, Speaker 1 (00:20:08): That Speaker 2 (00:20:09): Scene. Speaker 1 (00:20:10): Yeah. And so then it's so funny because already in a sort of what is this? Is this real, what's happening? And then when that the new fiance shows up and the wind is blowing her scarf and she's perfect looking, she's just impeccable. Speaker 2 (00:20:27): Yeah, it's definitely a western. Everyone looked for idealized. I feel like that just over the top. Speaker 1 (00:20:38): Yeah, it feels very Hollywood. That's what I got the impression too, in an older Hollywood than even the seventies. It feels like he's looking back to those big technicolor movies, like I said, gone with the Wind or Wizard of Oz or something that has these big backdrops and painted scenes. That was probably when I first watched this movie. It was like, I'm very on board. I can't wait to see what's going to happen next. So gorgeous does not respond well to her new mother, mom, and she sort of runs off and pouts in her room. Speaker 2 (00:21:26): And her loom is amazing too, by the way. The wall, I mean wallpaper and Speaker 1 (00:21:32): Yeah, it's like giant roses. Speaker 2 (00:21:34): Yeah, definitely. Yes. It's amazing loom. Speaker 1 (00:21:37): I mean, almost every step of this movie, anytime you have a chance to feel like it's grounded in reality, something happens to pull you out of that. Speaker 2 (00:21:46): Right? Definitely. Definitely. Speaker 1 (00:21:48): So you get to that room and just like, yeah, that oversized wallpaper print, it doesn't make any sense. That's the thing that's going on there. And so she's looking at her old photos and remembering her mother, and then she remembers that she has an aunt that lives out in her mother's hometown. So then we finally get to meet these other six girls who are her friends, and they are Prof, which I guess is short for professor. Speaker 2 (00:22:22): Professor, yep. Study. Well, smart. Speaker 1 (00:22:25): Yeah. What do they call her? Was that was in Japanese or Speaker 2 (00:22:30): We say No, ga. Ga. We call it gati. Ben means study hard. Speaker 1 (00:22:36): Okay. Speaker 2 (00:22:36): I noticed. Speaker 1 (00:22:37): I thought that was one that I didn't sound like the English word. Speaker 2 (00:22:41): So they translated the pro Speaker 1 (00:22:44): Professor, and then there's Melody. Speaker 2 (00:22:46): Melody who plays piano. Speaker 1 (00:22:48): Yeah, she's the sort of music she plays. I think she's playing guitar also in the first scene. Speaker 2 (00:22:53): True. That's true. That's true. Speaker 1 (00:22:54): She will definitely play a lot of piano later. Speaker 2 (00:22:57): That's right. Maybe that's why I'm like, she played piano. But Speaker 1 (00:22:59): Yes, she does play. She's sort of a musician of the group Speaker 2 (00:23:01): Guitar and stuff. Speaker 1 (00:23:03): Then there's Kung fu, Speaker 2 (00:23:05): Kung Fu. That's my favorite character. Speaker 1 (00:23:08): She's so great. Yes. Speaker 2 (00:23:10): She's Speaker 1 (00:23:10): The athletic one who is specifically skilled at kung fu, as you might guess. Speaker 2 (00:23:17): Definitely would like to have it as a friend. I feel safe if she was my friend. Speaker 1 (00:23:22): Yeah, definitely. I mean, Kung fu sticks around for quite a while and does, I would say save the day, but really nothing works out actually in this. Speaker 2 (00:23:30): Yeah, I thought she saved. Yeah, I saw story ends there. I dunno how much I can spoil listener, but Speaker 1 (00:23:39): Well, this is a movie that's hard to actually spoil. That's true. Because even if you say what happens, you're like, wait, what? It almost doesn't make any sense. And if you see it, it's always a fun watch, but you're not watching it because you're curious about the plot, really. You're just sort of like, wait, what? So yeah, so Kung fu. Then there's Mac Speaker 2 (00:24:00): Mac Speaker 1 (00:24:01): Who loves to eat, and this is one of these characters in a movie where everyone says she's fat, but she is not fat in any way. Speaker 2 (00:24:08): Yeah, that's definitely a Japanese culture, I guess in her size. I guess Japan considered as a chubby, but it's not. She's not even chubby. That's the thing. Speaker 1 (00:24:18): I would see her body, and I was like, is Speaker 2 (00:24:20): She even chubby? But at the same time, Speaker 1 (00:24:23): She's very round face, but she didn't, I don't know Speaker 2 (00:24:26): If I go Japan, I'm not skinny, but it's just weird Japanese culture. Even my dad is considered as a fat in Japan, Speaker 1 (00:24:37): But Speaker 2 (00:24:37): Then now I've been here United States for long. Speaker 1 (00:24:41): You like, you're not fat, Speaker 2 (00:24:43): Mean. Gosh, this is horrible to say, but Speaker 1 (00:24:45): Go ahead. I mean, Speaker 2 (00:24:47): My dad is chubby, but now I see he's not fat. Speaker 1 (00:24:52): Yeah. Oh no. I went to Japan a couple years ago. Oh, yeah. I foolishly did not think about that when I bought some t-shirts and just did not do the size mask on the size, Speaker 2 (00:25:06): I Speaker 1 (00:25:06): Was like, oh, my husband did it too. So the good thing is I get to wear his shirts that he bought. Speaker 2 (00:25:12): He Speaker 1 (00:25:12): Was buying a size up and for mine, but then they're actually what I would wear. So I'm like, oh, nice. But I have a shirt that I can't wear almost at all, unless at my best I can maybe squeeze into this thing and it would be really unappealing. And I remember we were walking around and we would just pass these amazing bakeries full of bread and stuff, and my husband was like, how is everyone so skinny? Speaker 2 (00:25:39): We do Japan, eat. They do eat a lot, but somehow, Speaker 1 (00:25:44): Because that would be the thing, we're constantly surrounded by the most amazing looking food. And you're just, the Speaker 2 (00:25:50): Food is definitely, Speaker 1 (00:25:52): And you're just like, oh, how is everyone skinny here? Speaker 2 (00:25:55): I'm assuming the older transportation walking lot. Yeah, you Speaker 1 (00:25:59): Walk in a lot, especially in the cities. Yeah, definitely. Well, anyway, that was a big digression from Mac. Mac. Speaker 2 (00:26:05): I guess it's coming from stomach, Speaker 1 (00:26:07): Stomach, stomach, Mac. Yes. That's what they say. Yeah, Speaker 2 (00:26:11): Maybe. Speaker 1 (00:26:14): Yeah. They explained it and then they said, oh, she's like one big stomach. Yeah. And then sweet. Speaker 2 (00:26:20): Sweet. Yeah, Speaker 1 (00:26:22): Who's just sweet. That's her character. Sweet. Speaker 2 (00:26:24): Nice explains. Very sweet. And Speaker 1 (00:26:27): And then fantasy who we already met, who's the daydreamer. So then we find out that Mr. Togo's sister is pregnant, and so now they can't go to her inn for training camp. Also, Mr. Togo wears a lab coat for some reason. Speaker 2 (00:26:43): I'm a little confused with this team. I went to summer camp, summer training with my sports team, but I'm wondering, is this, Speaker 1 (00:26:54): What are they all training for? Speaker 2 (00:26:55): Right, right. That's where it's totally different characters gathered, but I'm not sure what training for, but Speaker 1 (00:27:04): None of them seem to have the same interests. Speaker 2 (00:27:07): No. Speaker 1 (00:27:09): Yeah. So that's when gorgeous proposes that they could all visit her aunt, and she writes her a letter. This is also when the white cat appears. Speaker 2 (00:27:19): Yes. Speaker 1 (00:27:20): That's an English called Blanche there. I think they call her Speaker 2 (00:27:24): Shiro, which means white. White. Speaker 1 (00:27:27): So her aunt has accepted the girls to come to her house. Then we also have a little scene where the no stepmom KO plans to drop by the aunt's house later to try and win gorgeous over. I wasn't sure Speaker 2 (00:27:46): How Speaker 1 (00:27:46): That made any sense, Speaker 2 (00:27:47): But I'm sure that time that married is unusual in Japan. I mean now it's what Speaker 1 (00:27:54): Was unusual Speaker 2 (00:27:55): Getting married again once you lost a partner. Not many people get Speaker 1 (00:28:01): Remarried. Speaker 2 (00:28:01): DeMar. Speaker 1 (00:28:02): Gotcha. Speaker 2 (00:28:03): I mean, now it's typical. Now it's not unusual things, Speaker 1 (00:28:07): But Joe was a little more taboo Speaker 2 (00:28:09): In the past. Yeah. I mean, still countryside. My friend's dad lost a wife and he has no interest to getting married. Speaker 1 (00:28:22): So I feel like if you haven't noticed how nuts this movie is yet, then there's this sequence where it's almost a musical sequence. This is the first time we hear the English music. There's Speaker 2 (00:28:34): A Speaker 1 (00:28:34): Song with English lyrics Speaker 2 (00:28:36): And editing. Editing is so many different techniques. Slow into it. I did a little editing class at Art Academy. My thesis had a little video to it, but yes, this one, this movie definitely has so many. Speaker 1 (00:28:51): Yeah, there's like Speaker 2 (00:28:52): Editing technique. Speaker 1 (00:28:53): There's stop motion type animation going on. We see Mr. Togo, well, the cat appears and sort of trips him and he sort of falls down the stairs, but it's all done in this stop Speaker 2 (00:29:05): Motion, stop motions. Speaker 1 (00:29:07): So it's really looks very silly and playful. And then he falls down the stairs, which is like he's sliding down on his belly. It all feels like a cartoon because it Speaker 2 (00:29:17): Feel like, yes, it's like a cartoon. Speaker 1 (00:29:18): Yeah, there's sound effects and everything. And then he gets his butt stuck in a bucket, which then he's sliding all over the place in this bucket. He apparently has to go to the hospital. I Speaker 2 (00:29:33): Guess that's the reasons he couldn't go to that trip with girls. Speaker 1 (00:29:37): He couldn't go on the trip because he has a bucket on his butt and he has to go to the hospital and have it removed. That scene is, so there's also just like when you're talking about the different techniques, I remember they pan up and there's clouds, but they're clearly imposed. The clouds are fake Speaker 2 (00:29:54): Painted crowd, and it's just lots of things going on. Speaker 1 (00:29:57): There's just a horse and a parrott in the scene for some reason. Speaker 2 (00:30:01): Right, right. That scene was very wacky. It's like all of a sudden, whoa. Speaker 1 (00:30:05): There's something very, it feels almost like a children's TV show. Speaker 2 (00:30:09): Yeah, I agree. I agree. Speaker 1 (00:30:11): There's something about the costuming and there's some carpenter or something. He's hammering something in time with the music. I Speaker 2 (00:30:18): Think shoe repair shop. I think that was a shoe repair shop, and it's kind of musical to it. Speaker 1 (00:30:24): Yeah, yeah, definitely. It feels like a big musical number. And it's so strange. The girls are disappointed that Mr. Togo can't go, so they have to go on the train by themselves and then on the train. Well, there's some really cool effects there on the train where Speaker 2 (00:30:42): It Yes, I agree. I like that too. Speaker 1 (00:30:44): It goes into, she opens a book and it shows a train, like a Speaker 2 (00:30:47): Children book becomes their background. Yes. That was really called transition too. I like Speaker 1 (00:30:53): The children's book with a train. And then you go into the picture and it becomes an animation of the train moving, and it all feels like cut paper. So then that sort of becomes their world, and then they're sort of sitting in the seats, but it's like this just abstract, colorful background Speaker 2 (00:31:09): Behind becomes like garage. Speaker 1 (00:31:12): Yeah, it's really cool. So she starts, gorgeous, starts explaining to the other girls her family's history. And this is another really interesting scene because she starts describing her aunt and her mother and their story, and it's like a silent movie. Speaker 2 (00:31:32): Yeah. Yes, Speaker 1 (00:31:34): Black Speaker 2 (00:31:34): And white. Speaker 1 (00:31:35): It becomes black and white. It's like a silent movie. There's title screens and everything that pop up with the dialogue, but what's funny about it is she's telling them the story, but then the girls Speaker 2 (00:31:46): Are Speaker 1 (00:31:46): Reacting. Yes. You Speaker 2 (00:31:47): Can hear the girls' reactions still. Speaker 1 (00:31:49): They're watching it with you. Speaker 2 (00:31:51): Right. I totally agree. I thought that was interesting too. Like, oh, it's a hot kiss. You hear all the girls whispering. Speaker 1 (00:32:01): Yeah. I don't think I've ever seen anything like that in a movie where again, this movie is dedicated to breaking the fourth wall every way it can, but the fact that you're watching this flashback of a person describing it, it's like, I've seen movies do that before. But then the girls are commenting on it. They're watching along with you, and the screen they kiss in the screen burns out, the film catches on fire, and they're like, Ooh, it's a hot kiss or whatever. And so the story is that the aunt she had, this is in World War ii, so he has to go fight in the war, and he never comes back. And this ant is sort of left alone and she never marries. And there's kind of this really dark moment where they show the abo exploding. Speaker 2 (00:32:56): And Speaker 1 (00:32:56): Then Mack, I think is like, it's like cotton candy. Speaker 2 (00:32:59): Yes. I was a little shocking too. I was, oh, Speaker 1 (00:33:02): It's so weird. And when you hear it's, it's like, Speaker 2 (00:33:05): Okay, so it's not only me was a little shocked. Speaker 1 (00:33:07): It's jarring Speaker 2 (00:33:08): To Speaker 1 (00:33:09): Hear because it's this really horrific moment. Speaker 2 (00:33:11): It's kind of serious thing. But then kind of like what? Speaker 1 (00:33:15): Well, and so it's interesting is the director, I was trying to learn a little bit more about him, and he grew up in Hiroshima. Speaker 2 (00:33:24): Oh, he did? Oh, I did you not know that. Speaker 1 (00:33:26): And basically all of his childhood friends were Speaker 2 (00:33:29): Killed Speaker 1 (00:33:30): In the explosion. So there's almost, I think he has this feeling that this generation, this newer generation doesn't sort of understand the seriousness of it. And so it's almost like he's kind of showing critiquing that. But it does, it's weird. It makes it, the way they're not treating it with any seriousness makes it actually scarier to you. Speaker 2 (00:33:56): Yes, that's what I was going to say too. Yes, it is. Speaker 1 (00:34:00): So Speaker 2 (00:34:00): It affects, yeah, it's a great effect. Speaker 1 (00:34:04): And it's something I don't think, again, I've ever seen. It's a really weird moment. This movie is full of moments where people are taking something that should be really serious and they're not reacting like they should. Speaker 2 (00:34:19): Yes, definitely. And then we notice in a train, there's a nun, there's so many different character Speaker 1 (00:34:26): People Speaker 2 (00:34:27): Sitting and just like, Speaker 1 (00:34:29): Yeah, it's all very unreal. But then you get kind of confronted with this very real thing, and it's like, Ooh. And they kind of gloss over it. But then that actually makes it weirder Speaker 2 (00:34:42): In Speaker 1 (00:34:42): Some strange way, Speaker 2 (00:34:43): Strange world. And I think that's why I appreciate this movie. Full of surprise. Speaker 1 (00:34:49): Full of Speaker 2 (00:34:49): Surprise. And then I think the old cat start closing a door with front pole or Yeah, that means the cat is with, yeah. One of the Speaker 1 (00:35:02): Girl says something about like, oh, any cat can open a door, but a cat that can close the door must be a witch cat. Yes. Speaker 2 (00:35:10): Yes. That kind of is a key point too. Speaker 1 (00:35:14): Later, if you didn't already expect, realize that this cat was not a normal cat. Speaker 1 (00:35:20): So this is another thing I keep saying. When I first saw this movie, this was the thing, and I realize I'm saying this every moment, every scene is like this. I remember this really stuck in my head. So actually I love this. There's a little bit of editing because when they come out of the story, they're now on a bus. They've transitioned from the story, has transitioned from, they're telling the story and it's black and white. And now when the ends, they're in a different location. Now they're on a bus, and the bus stops at a bus stop, and I love it. They get off and it's like this painted backdrop, Speaker 2 (00:35:53): And Speaker 1 (00:35:53): It's very fake looking and painted, but then the camera goes back and it's another Speaker 2 (00:35:58): Fake Sweden, or it's nothing. Things like Japan at all. And then the ZA is well known as a resort spot in Japan. Speaker 1 (00:36:09): It's Speaker 2 (00:36:10): Central Japan, three hours away from Tokyo. So it's a nice weekend trip Speaker 1 (00:36:16): And Speaker 2 (00:36:16): A nice golf and trail, but it's nothing like that scene. So it was, yeah, it's interesting. It's Solu. Yeah. There's a Speaker 1 (00:36:24): Big European looking mountains. But I love that scene. They get off and it's almost as if the bus stop is a painted backdrop, which is, I mean, there's nothing like that. That's not like a normal Speaker 2 (00:36:36): No, not that normal. I think even at the Tokyo Station train. Yeah, there was another one. Another one. They had a fake background Speaker 1 (00:36:45): Too, Speaker 2 (00:36:45): So it's kind of like, yeah, Speaker 1 (00:36:47): I noticed that they passed one on their way into the station. You're right. But it's such a weird levels of fake backgrounds. Speaker 2 (00:36:56): Right? It's like another one, and here's another one. Speaker 1 (00:36:59): Yeah. Because at first, it's almost like you think this little one is that's fake, but you think the movie wants you to think it's real, and then it zooms out and you realize, no, the movie wants me to think this one is fake, but this one is real. Right. So it's like you're always calibrating what and isn't real in this movie. It's so strange. So then they make a journey to the Ant's house through these beautiful mountains and Woods Bridge. Speaker 2 (00:37:28): Yeah. Speaker 1 (00:37:28): Yeah. The bridge scene is so great because it's, at this point, we're like 20 minutes into this movie, and they have this scene where they show all of the girls' faces with their names, Speaker 2 (00:37:39): And Speaker 1 (00:37:39): It's almost like Speaker 2 (00:37:40): Finally, Speaker 1 (00:37:41): It reminds me of a sitcom opening or something like a TV show. Speaker 2 (00:37:46): It does. And if you notice, the girls, the back have also their name on it. Mac Speaker 1 (00:37:51): Oh, Speaker 2 (00:37:52): Mac in Japanese character. But it's really comedy. Speaker 1 (00:37:58): Yeah. Yeah. It's like in case you can't remember who's who, it's just we're going to write it on there thing. Well, I think at this point, and maybe it was around this point when I realized watching it, I don't know if the first time I watched it or maybe the second time, I was like, oh, they're like the Seven Dwarves. It's like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves where you have, there's seven girls and they each have a name that's like their characteristic, like sleepy, Speaker 2 (00:38:21): Grumpy. Speaker 1 (00:38:23): So it's like Max Sweet. Speaker 2 (00:38:25): Why? Speaker 1 (00:38:28): And again, this moment feels very Disney too. Speaker 2 (00:38:32): That's true. That is very true. It's true. Speaker 1 (00:38:34): Yeah. It's sort of this fairytale kind of world. So they make it to the house. Actually, first they stopped by a farmer, Speaker 2 (00:38:43): Farmers, and the actor is also well known too. I believe he makes song and he's kind of well known as artist. Yeah, I Speaker 1 (00:38:51): Think I've heard that. Yeah. He was a composer or something too. So they stopped a very strange farmer who sells them watermelon and points at the house and says some very ominous things about making you pretty sure that this is a bad situation they're walking into. So they buy a watermelon from him, and then they get to the gates of the house, and we finally get to meet the aunt who is Speaker 2 (00:39:25): Yeah, wheelchair. Speaker 1 (00:39:26): Yeah. Yeah. So the gates open and she's in this wheelchair, and the cat jumps up on her lap. Speaker 2 (00:39:34): Right. But it feels really modern looking too, like a modern aunt. Speaker 1 (00:39:39): Oh, yeah. She feels like she should be in the same time period as the girls, Speaker 2 (00:39:44): Right? Speaker 1 (00:39:44): Yeah. She's also, she's an actress that does not feel also old enough to play this. Speaker 2 (00:39:49): Yes, definitely. I think she was like 41 or something at the time. So it's definitely beautiful aunt. Speaker 1 (00:39:55): Yeah. She's just got a gray wig on, but she otherwise looks Speaker 2 (00:39:58): Like beautiful gray hair, pretty Speaker 1 (00:39:59): Young. So then they go around the house exploring the minute they walk in the door, the chandeliers starts sort of attacking them with crystals. Speaker 2 (00:40:08): Yes. That's also, yes. Funny scene. Definitely kung fu. Speaker 1 (00:40:12): Yeah, Kung fu comes in to save the day by kicking a crystal out of the way and into a telephone. Speaker 2 (00:40:19): And Speaker 1 (00:40:19): Then the crystal, one of the crystals. Stabs a little lizard. Speaker 2 (00:40:24): Yeah. It's funny. No one makes big deal about it too much. Oh, okay, cool. Speaker 1 (00:40:31): And Speaker 2 (00:40:31): Then move on. Speaker 1 (00:40:32): Yeah. Well, what's the kitchen? Speaker 2 (00:40:34): Not Speaker 1 (00:40:35): The attitude. Everyone's just like, oh, this is great. They have a piano fun. So they're all exploring the house. And then I think one of the girls, I think Mac takes the, I don't remember if Mac takes it out or somebody takes the watermelon out to the well to chill. Yes. Speaker 2 (00:40:53): The Mac. Yeah, Mac and the fantasy maybe. Yeah. I don't remember Speaker 1 (00:40:58): Who put the watermelon in first, but yeah, they make a big deal of like, oh, we're going to chill the watermelon in the Well, is Speaker 2 (00:41:05): That the normal things? Like chilling, a watermelon in the water is kind of normal things in Japan. Is Speaker 1 (00:41:11): That normal? Speaker 2 (00:41:11): Yeah. If I go to camp, my family used to go to the camping and we put the watermelon in the cold liver. Speaker 1 (00:41:19): Oh, interesting. Speaker 2 (00:41:20): Chill. So to me, that scene was kind of like Nostra. Speaker 1 (00:41:24): Oh, really? Yeah. That's so funny. Yeah. I mean, it's something I've never done in my life. I mean, it's always like you just keep a watermelon in the fridge. I mean, maybe, I Speaker 2 (00:41:34): Guess maybe the fridge in Japan is smaller, so not whole watermelon cannot fit. Maybe not now. The current fridge in Japan is bigger, but at the time was smaller. Speaker 1 (00:41:46): That makes sense. When I watched it, I read it as like, oh, that seems like a traditional thing to do. But it was not like anything I've ever done. I just feel, I don't think I've ever been anywhere that has a real well either, but I'm sure there's plenty. I'm sure Now I'm saying this, or probably people, I've always chilled my watermelons and water. I Speaker 2 (00:42:04): Wonder how many people are Speaker 1 (00:42:06): Did that. Yeah. Anyway, when they kind of have some dinner, the aunt isn't eating with them. Speaker 2 (00:42:14): Why not feeling well? Speaker 1 (00:42:15): Yeah, she's so weak and everything. And then of course, Mac, because she's so hungry, she wants to eat the watermelon, so she goes to get it, but then doesn't come back. Speaker 2 (00:42:27): And Speaker 1 (00:42:27): So we don't know what happened to Mac. And then fantasy goes out to check on Mac, and then when she gets out there, she decides to pull the watermelon out, but instead she pulls up and it's just Mac's head. Speaker 2 (00:42:40): Head, yes. Speaker 1 (00:42:43): But the head is still talking. Speaker 2 (00:42:44): Right? You see a little, Speaker 1 (00:42:47): Yeah. There's always the little trace of blue from the blue screen, Speaker 2 (00:42:50): Blue screen, and Speaker 1 (00:42:51): That's Speaker 2 (00:42:52): That kind of stuff, like coy stuff. I kind of appreciate that too. Speaker 1 (00:42:56): I love it too. I love that you sort of know how every effect is done in this movie. It's like, oh, okay. So it's a blue screen. But of course it was probably revolutionary at the time, Speaker 2 (00:43:05): I believe So at the time, that much Speaker 1 (00:43:08): Don't Speaker 2 (00:43:08): Think gigs, Speaker 1 (00:43:10): These kind of video effects that they're doing, were pretty cutting edge. So the head sort of talks to her and then it flies around and bites her butt. Speaker 2 (00:43:21): Yep. Yeah. Shocking. Very shocking. But that's like Japanese things too. If you go to your haunted house, you see a lot head cut, it cut Speaker 1 (00:43:31): Out like a decapitated head. That's just a normal thing. Typical Speaker 2 (00:43:34): Called Ghost. Speaker 1 (00:43:35): I feel like Speaker 2 (00:43:36): It's Speaker 1 (00:43:36): Probably pretty common in a lot of places. I mean, the scene of, I guess it's strange in an American horror movie, I feel like most of the time though, if a person was finding a head, they would just find the head of whoever. It probably would not talk and fly around and bite Speaker 2 (00:43:56): And bite your butt. Speaker 1 (00:44:00): But I mean, this movie is also nothing is what you would expect to happen. So really that's kind of what kicks off all of the other insane things that happened in this movie. Speaker 2 (00:44:12): That's definitely a starting point, Speaker 1 (00:44:13): Because from there on, it's just sort of one non-stop, crazy weird thing after another. And it's like, this was probably around the point when my notes stopped really making sense. True. Speaker 2 (00:44:26): Yes. So you should have stopped taking a note too. Speaker 1 (00:44:28): Yeah. So I don't know if it's help to sort of go through it point by point anymore because basically it kind of has almost a slasher movie structure where the girls get picked off one by one, Speaker 2 (00:44:43): One by one. Yeah. Who's next, who's next? Speaker 1 (00:44:46): You sort of see them and they all kind of get killed in these really clever and really strange ways. Speaker 2 (00:44:51): Everyone's industrious. So sometimes they're showing melody and it goes back to sweet and then, oh, I forgot. Sweet. It's happening this to sweet at the time. Yeah. Speaker 1 (00:45:04): There's a lot of cutting back and forth between the different people and where they're at. Melody is a thing that I think anyone who sees this movie remembers Melody's death because she has eaten by a piano. Speaker 2 (00:45:18): Yes, yes. It's definitely shocking. Speaker 1 (00:45:22): And it's so weird and it's not scary, but there is something weird, Speaker 2 (00:45:27): Scary about it. Weird and Speaker 1 (00:45:29): Uncomfortable. Speaker 2 (00:45:31): But then graphic is also amazing too. Speaker 1 (00:45:34): Yeah. There's so much happening. I love the way it's like these scenes are built. I mean, I was really realizing there is a point where you have a real piano there, and then at a certain point it's like, oh, this is no longer a real piano. They have built a fake piano that she can be half in and half out of eating, and the way her body is sticking out of the keys, Speaker 2 (00:45:58): Then once in a while, skeletons conducting the music. And Speaker 1 (00:46:04): Yeah, there's a skeleton that's often, it's comical in the background that's just kind of moving usually in time with the music. It's again, something else that makes it feel funny. But yeah, that scene with the piano, that's the one that's has the really funny blue paint too on her. Speaker 2 (00:46:23): You Speaker 1 (00:46:24): Can really see it that Speaker 2 (00:46:25): There, you can really see that definitely Speaker 1 (00:46:27): Melody's just standing and turning. But Speaker 2 (00:46:30): I feel like it's the perfect way that it shows the character. That's how melody should die, I guess. That's horrible to say, I guess. Speaker 1 (00:46:40): Well, she sort of gets pulled almost into this trance for a while where she's playing, but she's sort of not in control anymore. That's true. And it's sort of funny because first the piano eats her fingers and she just holds like, Speaker 2 (00:46:53): Yeah, oh my fingers. Speaker 1 (00:46:55): She's happy about it. She's like, Speaker 2 (00:46:58): I'm missing my Speaker 1 (00:46:58): Fingers. And then it eats the rest of her hands. And then she screams finally like, ah. Speaker 2 (00:47:05): Yeah, from that point, yes, definitely from the max desk. There's so many things going on, and there's so many things too. Then they're washing the dishes and you see the water was all red. Speaker 1 (00:47:17): Oh yeah. So Speaker 2 (00:47:18): I know you'd think that's broad. Well, yeah. Speaker 1 (00:47:21): That's the thing that's also weird is they go back after the whole Mac head flying around, they go back and they get the real watermelon, but then it makes you think that Speaker 2 (00:47:31): That's her. Speaker 1 (00:47:32): Yeah. She's turned her into the Speaker 2 (00:47:35): Watermelon. Watermelon. Yeah. Speaker 1 (00:47:37): Because you see the aunt eating the watermelon and then she turns to fantasy and she opens her mouth in this little eyeball. Yeah, it Speaker 2 (00:47:43): Turns around melon. Speaker 1 (00:47:45): Yeah. It looks back and forth, forth. And then at one point, I think there's, you see the watermelon kind of jiggling, right? Speaker 2 (00:47:52): Jiggling. And then you hear the Mac's voice. So yeah, you are right. So it's almost like watermelon Mac turning into the watermelon. Speaker 1 (00:48:01): Didn't, one thing I didn't say about this movie at the beginning is that when the director, he also wrote the story and everything, but he consulted his daughter, who I think was around 10 Speaker 2 (00:48:14): At Speaker 1 (00:48:14): The time for ideas. And so if a lot of this sounds like a story a child would make up. Speaker 2 (00:48:23): Yes, I agree. I definitely agree. And Nino, I don't know, in Japan, usually horror stories, everyone start talking about scary story around summertime, not like Halloween time. Speaker 1 (00:48:37): Interesting. Speaker 2 (00:48:38): Which Speaker 1 (00:48:38): Is when this takes place too. It takes place on summer. There are just about to do summer break. So yeah, Speaker 2 (00:48:44): I think that is, there's a big holiday called Bong Holiday, and that's a couple of days holidays in Japan. But that's supposed to be, you honor your ancestor or someone who passed away. That's the holidays for it. And then they have a festival, and it's almost like a labor's day here, or not Labor's day, Memorial Day. Memorial Day. Speaker 1 (00:49:10): Memorial Day Speaker 2 (00:49:11): Is what Memorial Day. Speaker 1 (00:49:12): Memorial Day is more for remembering specifically Speaker 2 (00:49:15): People Speaker 1 (00:49:16): Who served in the military. So Speaker 2 (00:49:19): This one's not for military, but anyone who passed away Speaker 1 (00:49:22): Got. Speaker 2 (00:49:23): So during a summer is the time everyone start bringing a little spooky story. So I think that's Speaker 1 (00:49:30): Interesting. I had no idea though. That makes a lot of sense that that takes place then in the summer. That's another, that's a fascinating little cultural difference. That makes sense. What all Hallows Eve has more and why we have a lot of ideas about death and spirits in the fall, yeahs, and why we have so many spooky stories and why they start coming out in the fall more than in the summer here. Whereas I guess our summer stories are about beaches, like Speaker 2 (00:50:03): Beaches and sun. But in Japan becomes more dark. That's Speaker 1 (00:50:07): So interesting. Speaker 2 (00:50:08): So when I went to a school trip, like summer camp, summer trip training, that's that nighttime we all get together and everyone will talk about one spooky story. And that was some things that we did. Speaker 1 (00:50:23): And I guess that's a thing we do have associated with summer camp as well is true. You always have the scary story. So that's Speaker 2 (00:50:32): True. Speaker 1 (00:50:32): Camps do have a kind spooky connotation to them a lot as well. But that's interesting. Are there other, I was kind of curious, are there any other kind of cultural things that you noticed that stuck out? Speaker 2 (00:50:44): What made me, after I watched this movie, I felt really nostalgic and I was thinking what made it nostalgic feeling is kind of funny. But cicada sounds. Speaker 1 (00:50:56): Yeah. Yeah. She said one of the characters points out the cicadas at Speaker 2 (00:51:00): Some point. That made me super nostalgic to me. So many, I know we had a huge cicadas here, and I know everyone was annoyed by the noise, but something about cicada is very poetic in Japan. So there's tons of different kinds of scss in Japan. And then each CDA makes little different sounds. And especially the one I heard from the movie was called Hi. And that only shows up night, early morning, and then nighttime. But that's the most beautiful sounds that the skater, that beautiful sounds makes. Speaker 1 (00:51:42): So yeah, it's not like here. There's in Cincinnati area, we only have cicadas every 17 years. Are they pretty consistent? Just summertime Bug. Speaker 2 (00:51:52): Yeah, summertime. I think that's why it fresh me back to summertime, my family didn't have a ac. We have only one room had ac, like a living room. And that's where everyone get, and if you go to your room, no. So windows open, so all you hear is scared. Speaker 1 (00:52:10): Maybe Speaker 2 (00:52:10): That's no strategic feeling. And just like little clean, sweet, cleaning the floor. Oh yeah. And that brought me back to how I used to clean the classroom Japanese student, clean the classroom after the school is over. Speaker 1 (00:52:29): That's something I've only, again, I've only experienced through other Japanese media movies and TV to see kids cleaning the floors Speaker 2 (00:52:38): Like that where they wiping the floor Speaker 1 (00:52:40): Where they do that, put their butt up in the air and they run that. Speaker 2 (00:52:45): We used to compete, me and my friend line up and we touch the other wall and then come back. Speaker 1 (00:52:51): We Speaker 2 (00:52:52): Made it into more fun that way. Speaker 1 (00:52:54): That's so smart to get kids. I mean, it is a genuinely smart way to make kids clean the floor. Speaker 2 (00:53:00): Yeah, you make a mess, you clean. Yeah, Speaker 1 (00:53:03): It's a good Speaker 2 (00:53:03): Lesson. It was a good system too. So we make a group and each group has a leader and each group has place to clean assigned. And then after the 20 minute screening or 15 minute screening, the leader goes to the teacher and tell how everyone did. And of course there's a one or a few student who doesn't do, and then leader will tell who that was. And then whoever didn't participate the cleaning, they have to clean the bathroom next week, which is the worst place to clean. So the system was well done. Speaker 1 (00:53:44): If you Speaker 2 (00:53:44): Don't clean it, Speaker 1 (00:53:46): You Speaker 2 (00:53:46): Get to do the bathroom next week, which is scary place to clean. Oh. Speaker 1 (00:53:51): So Speaker 2 (00:53:51): That was great system. Speaker 1 (00:53:54): That's so smart. Speaker 2 (00:53:55): So I worked for school here, so I know usually we have here we have a cleaning people. Speaker 1 (00:54:01): Right. Speaker 2 (00:54:02): That was shocking when I come here first. Speaker 1 (00:54:06): So in Japanese schools when you were growing up, there was nobody else to clean. It was just the students? Speaker 2 (00:54:11): Just the student. And then we do have a security guard, but he's not the person to clean. Speaker 1 (00:54:18): So at our summer camp, we try to make our kids clean up as much as possible. Maybe we should start instituting the floor cleaning Japanese method, and then we'll do the bathroom cleaning for the worst job reward. We probably will have a lot less kids sign up for summer camp the following year. Speaker 2 (00:54:38): Yeah, this camp makes us cream. Speaker 1 (00:54:41): They made me clean the bathroom. I feel like there's probably not a lot else I haven't already said about this movie. Obviously. I love it since I've gone on at length about, it's such a strange movie. I mean, I think there's a lot of movies that people say, oh, this is a really weird movie. You should watch this. It's weird. And I really can't think of a movie that is truly weirder than this movie. Speaker 2 (00:55:07): It's Speaker 1 (00:55:08): Like the strangest, but on the other hand, it's also really fun Speaker 2 (00:55:12): Lady, fun entertaining, but also there's a message to it. Speaker 1 (00:55:17): I Speaker 2 (00:55:17): Feel like there's some message to, I realized after I watched this movie, who was the main character was the aunt. Speaker 1 (00:55:25): Yeah. I mean, it's her story in a way. It's Speaker 2 (00:55:27): Her story. I realized that, oh, the aunt was the main character. I kept thinking gorgeous was the main character. Speaker 1 (00:55:36): They kind of set it up as gorgeous is going to be the what in horror. In the world of horror people call the final girl, the one who survives is always the final girl. And they kind of do a little bit of a flip on that here, because while Gorgeous is the final girl, by then, she's not really the hero anymore. Speaker 2 (00:55:58): She was taken over by aunt. Speaker 1 (00:56:00): Yeah, yeah. It's like almost the aunt's spirit is in her now, is the way I sort of interpreted it. But yeah, you're right. We are seeing the aunt who's still the Speaker 2 (00:56:14): Waiting for, Speaker 1 (00:56:15): Waiting for her fiance. So Speaker 2 (00:56:17): It's kind of a beautiful, beautiful, I mean it's kind of like a love story to it, but it's also telling a message You have to grieve. If you don't grieve the person Speaker 1 (00:56:30): You turn into a monster, Speaker 2 (00:56:31): Turn into the monster Speaker 1 (00:56:33): And Speaker 2 (00:56:33): The house itself. Speaker 1 (00:56:35): So Speaker 2 (00:56:35): I feel like there was a message to it too. Speaker 1 (00:56:38): It's a strange movie too, because it actually is sort of lighthearted as it is and cartoonish as it is. It actually has one of the darkest endings of a lot of horror movies where there isn't Speaker 2 (00:56:54): A lot Speaker 1 (00:56:55): Of horror movies end with one of the girls surviving and getting out and being stronger for it. And this doesn't end like that. Speaker 2 (00:57:04): No. What do you think? I know there they were singing to make a second movie. Oh Speaker 1 (00:57:11): Really? In Speaker 2 (00:57:11): Eighties. Speaker 1 (00:57:12): But Speaker 2 (00:57:12): Then they decide not to. I'm wondering what would be the second movie? Speaker 1 (00:57:19): Yeah. Speaker 2 (00:57:19): Because I'm curious after this ending. Yeah, Speaker 1 (00:57:23): I think you're right. That idea of moving on as the point. I think you're right. Because in a way it's like we see gorgeous who's has an opportunity to move on, but she doesn't, she's sort of living in anger and she's Speaker 2 (00:57:42): Not taking a new mom. Speaker 1 (00:57:45): She's sort of still vengeful and bitter in the way that her aunt was. So yeah, it's, it is something, there probably is more happening in this movie than it seems, Speaker 2 (00:58:00): I guess when the go turned into a monster, the moment was the mirror Go was looking at the mirror. Speaker 1 (00:58:07): Right. Speaker 2 (00:58:08): And I thought that was interesting. The mirror is always any culture kind of superstitious about when I was a little, I know if mirror breaks seven years, but luck. I know my grandmom had a meter covered and one time I asked her why Mirror is covered and she answered because the ghost can go in and out. Speaker 1 (00:58:34): So Speaker 2 (00:58:35): It's something, mirror is always something about really supers. Speaker 1 (00:58:39): Yeah, you're right. There is a lot of cultures have that sort of, there's a spiritual connection with mirrors and Speaker 2 (00:58:47): Connect and I think that's where Go just saw what happened to aunt. Speaker 1 (00:58:52): Yeah. But yeah, I really hope a lot of people see it because it is a movie. I remember showing it to some friends when I first saw it like, oh my gosh, you have to watch this movie. You have to see it. And then one of them had, their family was staying with them at the time their parents had come to stay over and they're like, you have to watch this movie. And their parents loved it. Oh good. Speaker 2 (00:59:14): I was going to say, what did they think? I know. Speaker 1 (00:59:17): So it's a movie that I think is just so likable that even people who I think would not think they're in for an experimental horror movie. Speaker 2 (00:59:26): Yeah. It's definitely not shocking. I don't like these days horror movie. It's just shocking. Shocking, scared. It's just like, how much can I shock you? Yeah. Speaker 1 (00:59:38): Mean it's surprising but not Speaker 2 (00:59:40): Surprising. Yeah, Speaker 1 (00:59:41): Surprising. Yes, but not terrifying. Speaker 2 (00:59:43): It's Speaker 1 (00:59:44): Terrifying. Terrify. There's no jump scares that kind of, there's never a big boom and somebody jumps out of a, there's nothing like that at all. I don't know. It's not totally just a comedy either. No. Speaker 2 (00:59:59): Because Speaker 1 (00:59:59): There is something a little unnerving about parts of it that are like, Speaker 2 (01:00:03): Oh, right. I definitely have to watch again. Every time I watch I feel like I have something new. Speaker 1 (01:00:09): Totally. I notice something new every time. And I think it's also, it's such an assault of things coming at you constantly that you forget. This most recent time I watched, I think I forgot about that scene where all of a sudden gorgeous, as giant head comes through a wall or something. Speaker 2 (01:00:27): It's like, Speaker 1 (01:00:28): How did I forget that in any other movie you would remember the moment where a giant head comes through. That's true. But this movie, it's like, well, yeah, but then Speaker 2 (01:00:35): Because food of those, Speaker 1 (01:00:37): There's so many, it's like every moment is like that. Well, I hope you get to watch it with us if you get to come out on October 15th and check it out at seven 30. And also if you haven't seen Carnival of Souls, it's a really cool movie. It's from 1962, so it's a little bit older and it's a ghost story, but about as completely different of a way as this movie is a ghost Speaker 2 (01:01:05): Story. Very, very interesting. Speaker 1 (01:01:07): And it's much more, I think, traditional movie in some ways that you would think, but it's also actually kind of experimental. And the guy who made that really only made one movie and he made a lot of what are called industrials, Ford Motors or something. He would hire him to make a movie that was just like a promotional film that would maybe be just shown to employees or a promotional thing that would be sent out around the country about their new line. So he would work on these industrial shorts and that was what his job was. And then he made this really indie movie that became also a cult classic in the same way house did. So it was a very small budget and house. Most of the actors in the movie aren't actors. No. Speaker 2 (01:02:00): No. Speaker 1 (01:02:01): Yeah. House is also mostly people who are not professional actors. And that's the same thing for Carnival of Souls. And it has some really, really fascinating performances because of it. The main character is she's a trained actress. She's the only one I think who has real acting chops. But she goes and stays at this room. She's renting from this older woman. And this woman is so fascinating to watch on screen and she has just such unusual way of delivering lines, but it does also feel kind of real in a way. You're like, I could imagine renting a room from this lady. This seems about right. And it's just Gorgeously shot too, and it reminds me almost of Fellini movies. There's something about how he uses this abandoned theme park as a backdrop, and again, it's like it was just a place that they found and it looked like that, and they didn't do anything to it. They're just like, let's shoot it. Speaker 2 (01:02:59): Just use it as is. That's the best. That's like a deal. Speaker 1 (01:03:03): Yeah. So again, that's how low budget it was that they're just like, oh, this looks great. Let's use it. And it really does. Look Speaker 2 (01:03:10): It walked out. Speaker 1 (01:03:11): Yeah. So that's our other movie we're going to watch that night. And Speaker 2 (01:03:16): So yeah, definitely. You made me want to come October 15th. Awesome. Speaker 1 (01:03:20): Awesome. Well, great. Well, thank you so much for chatting with me today about House. Speaker 2 (01:03:26): Thank you. Thank you for letting me visit this movie because I am going to watch it again. Speaker 1 (01:03:32): Awesome. Awesome. Speaker 2 (01:03:33): With you guys. Speaker 1 (01:03:34): Thanks. Thank you for listening to Art Palace. We hope you'll be inspired to come visit the Cincinnati Art Museum and have conversations about the art yourself. The museum is currently open, but please visit our website for the most up-to-date information about operating hours and museum policies. Current special exhibitions are American painting, the eighties revisited and opening October 22nd is simply Brilliant Artist Jewelers of the 1960s and 1970s. If you'd like to come to our horror film fest on October 15th, we will be showing House at 7:30 PM and Carnival of Souls at nine 30. This is an outdoor screening and it will be held in the front parking lot near Art Climb. We recommend that you bring your own seating. You can follow the museum on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and we also have an Art Palace Facebook group. Our theme song is offAnd Mu by Blau, and as always, please rate and review us to help others find the show. I'm Russell, and this has been Art Palace, produced by the Cincinnati Art Museum.