The harvest of safflower (benibana) is one of the topics in this film. The production and use of the dye from the safflower is explained in it.
It produces a color called 'kurenai' in japanese. This color is also a symbol for inconstant, uncertain love, which is the main topic of this movie. A symbolism that most western viewers would not have noticed.
Elzo Smid
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I certainly didn't notice it, but thanks for that tidbit, always love to learn more about great pieces of cinema like this.
Check out my DVD list @ http://www.dvdaficionado.com/dvds.html?cat=1&id=stuart
well, I did notice that part came just after the flashback part about periods, so I thought there was some colour connection to that as well.
Is safflower similar, or related, to Saffron?
some need to go up 1 or down 1:
http://us.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=10088562
I understand they are only vaguely related. Saffron has a strong color, but is also used in dishes for its strong flavor. I understand safflower is only used as a dye.
Google with 'safflower, saffron':
"Safflower, Carthamus tinctorius, American saffron, dyers' saffron, false saffron."
+++ ies it safe? +++
These are commonly used symbols in movies, blood and woman. Much of the time, whenever you see them brought together, it refers to menstruation, female sexuality, motherhood. The movie, in a sense, deals with the notion of birth, of transformation, of metamorphasis.
Great line from the film: "A larvae must become a pupa in order to become a butterfly. I didn't want to become a pupa."
Two excellent examples from Miyazaki's films would be Nausicaa bathed in the blood of an Ohmu, and San wiping blood off her face. Miyazaki, however, is much more political in his symbolism, and is playing that symbolism to those ends. Takahata treats female sexuality in a much more naturalist way. Then again, perhaps he is hoping that Japan will experience a similar "rebirth," and embrace its own forgotten past. Omohide Poro Poro was made in 1991, at the end of Japan's bubble economy, and the start of a decade-long recession. Takahata reflects upon the country's past self, as Taeko-chan reflects upon hers.
Well noted, Elzo!
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