ANIME

Pom Poko

平成狸合戦ぽんぽこ

Directed by: Isao Takahata

Year: 1994

Length: 119 minutes

Classification rating: PG (Contains violence, scary images and thematic elements)

Screens in: Bunbury, Townsville, Newcastle, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Hobart

A humorous fairy tale to teach about environmental conservation wisdom

Pom Poko is an ever-green tale about the clash between modern society and the natural world. The Raccoons (Tanuki) of the Tama Hills are being forced from their homes by rapid urbanisation. As it becomes harder to find food and shelter, they decide to band together and fight back. Once they perfect the ancient art of transformation until they are even able to appear as humans, they use their power, often in hilarious ways, to try to scare off the advancement of civilization. Will it be enough? Or will the Raccoons learn how to live in balance with the modern world, feeding off the leftovers from houses and shopping malls?

Rich with references to Japanese old folklore, this less-known masterpiece from Studio Ghibli will entertain the viewer with creative and curious oddities and countless visual and verbal jokes, while conveying a noble and thought-provoking pro-environmental message.