What a delightful, exhilarating film to watch. Pompo: The Cinéphile is the perfect showcase of anime cinema – with equal emphasis on both words. Every single frame is packed with vibrant colors and flavors, with snappy transitions between animation-like and cinematic expression. Packed with visual homages and a deep abounding love for film in all its forms, from campy B-movies to Oscar-winning material, It’s a must-watch if you love cinema in any form.
As for the story, it’s not the highlight, but it’s serviceable. It might be a film about making a film, but don’t go into it expecting to learn about the intricacies of the process in the way that Shirobako, for instance, teaches you about anime. Right from the opening minutes, it’s full of elements that discard believability, starting with the eponymous character of Pompo. She might be a preteen-looking girl prone to dramatic…
