Princess Racoon - Zhang Ziyi

(aka "Princess Raccoon" or "Operetta tanuki goten" )

Seijun Suzuki's "Princess Raccoon" is mad, nuts, lysergic, wonderful, kitsch, genius, smutty, sexy, funny, funny, funny, Zhang Ziyi, Joe Odagiri, Kabuki, "Snow White," "The Wizard of Oz," "Romeo and Juliet," Noh, hip-hop, rock, Broadway, Disney, fuzzy-wuzzys, yakuza, swordsman, by the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea, the cherry blossoms are in bloom again. In other words: I had a blast.

- Manohla Dargis following her Cannes screening

“This fascinating tale begins with a startling prediction. Azuchi Momoyama (Mikijiro Hira), a Lord of Castle Grace, asks a 100-year old Christian prophetess (Saori Yuki) who is the most handsome of all living things. “It’s you, your Highness,” she answers, as she always does. But this time, the prophetess reveals that his son Prince Amechiyo (Joe Odagiri) will soon become more handsome than he! Unable to bear the idea, Azuchi Momoyama decides to abandon his son deep in the wilderness of Sacred Mountain. As Amechiyo sleeps, a beautiful girl approaches. She is Princess Tanuki (Zhang Ziyi), invited to the Raccoon Palace on mysteriouis grounds. Soon, Amechiyo and the Princess are madly in love… but one obstacle after another keeps them apart. Will it be possible for Amechiyo and the Princess to overcome these obstacles? More importantly, can a man and raccoon fall in love with each other for the very first time?"

Posters

Theatrical Release: May 20th, 2005 Cannes Films Festival

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DVD Comparison:

Mei Ah - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Geneon [Pioneer] - Region 1- NTSC

(Mei Ah - Region 0 - NTSC LEFT vs. Geneon [Pioneer] - Region 1- NTSC RIGHT)

DVD Box Cover

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Distribution
Mei Ah

Region 0 - NTSC

GENEON [PIONEER]

Region 1 - NTSC

Runtime 1.50.30 1.50.20

Video
1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.51 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.80 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate :
Mei Ah

Bitrate :
Geneon

Audio Dolby 5.1, DTS Dolby 5.1, DTS

Subtitles English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese English, none

Features Release Information:
Studio: Mei Ah
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1

Edition Details:
• Trailer
• Behind the scenes/interview NO SUBTITLES

DVD Release Date: March 29, 2006
clear keep case w/ cardboard slip cover

Chapters 6
Release Information:
Studio: Mei Ah
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1

Edition Details:
• Behind the scenes/interview with English SUBTITLES (46:50)

• DVD Credits

DVD Release Date: July 10th, 2007
Keep Case

Chapters 20

Comments:
ADDITION - Geneon - Region 1- NTSC - July 07': Surprisingly (to me anyway) the new Geneon release is marvelous - progressive, anamorphic, dual-layered and looks fairly unmanipulated. The hazier, and boosted, Mei Ah pales in comparison. Subtitle translation will go the way of Geneon too (one mark off for the bold yellow font). The 5.1 audio, to my ear, has more buoyancy in the new R1. An easy victory for the Geneon which also boasts the same 'Behind the Scenes' featurette but it DOES have English subtitles! I'm very impressed and recommend the Geneon. Looks like Region 1 finally cut a break - What did we do to deserve this? :)
***

Adam, on the Mei Ah: The image: Bright colors on this disc really help to show off Suzuki’s marvelous direction. There is some minor pixilation on many of the deep focus shots that leaves the image lacking in detail at times. This is also a non-progressive transfer and viewed on the computer it exhibits prevalent combing throughout. Like most Mei Ah discs, consider this an average disc, but one that most likely won’t be topped by another release for some time.

Subtitles: The extra interview with Suzuki is not subtitled. The film however IS subtitled in English, and although there is the occasional grammar error and/or missing word, the translation seems solid.

The film: This is a wondrous movie! The work of a master filmmaker at the top of his game, letting loose and experimenting with everything he has learned over the years. On the level of narrative, there is also quite a bit going on with regards to religion, so unlike some of Suzuki’s other films, this is a film of both style and substance. Suzuki may have finally succeeded in alienating his cult audience and producing a TRUE art film with this one. I feel it is a masterpiece.

- Adam Lemke

DVD Menus

(Mei Ah - Region 0 - NTSC LEFT vs. Geneon [Pioneer] - Region 1- NTSC RIGHT)