This Japanese anime import bats a thousand with a textured story that effortlessly skips across centuries. Two documentary filmmakers travel to an isolated mountain lodge to interview legendary film actress Chiyoko Fujiwara, who mysteriously disappeared 30 years ago at the height of her career. The film unfolds in flashback as Fujiwara relates the details of her life, her career and her one true love.
Her lifelong quest to reunite with this mysterious stranger is interwoven with parallel scenes from her movies, which range from historical epics to science fiction. The documentarians are also drawn into her past--literally. While the story does get a little weird (what anime flick doesn't?), leading director Satoshi Kon tells it all in a cinematically thrilling, moving and gorgeous way. Here's to one beautiful Actress that's actually worthy of awards and ovations.