“The Lonely Castle in the Mirror”, mutual aid against school bullying

2023-09-05 19:09:15

The Lonely Castle in the Mirror **

by Keiichi Hara

Japanese animated film, 1 h 56

From 11 years old

Japanese cinema, whether animated or live-action, likes to delve into the complexity of family ties and the pretense of social relationships. As in the sensitive works of Hirokazu Kore-eda (A family matter, The Lucky Stars), Keiichi Hara leans, but more harshly, on the painful unsaid and the failed acts.

Nothing more banal than a teenager skipping class. But Kokoro, 13, is not looking to do the 400 shots. She prefers to stay at home to escape the harassment of which she is the victim in college. Until the day when the young girl discovers that her mirror opens a secret passage to a magic castle where she meets six other teenagers, undergoing the same school ordeal in the real world.

All are looking for a key capable of granting the wishes of whoever finds it, guided in their treasure hunt by a mysterious girl in a disturbing disguise, red cape and wolf mask.

Healthy introspection

Multiplying allusions to tales, Alice in Wonderland et Little Red Riding Hood among other things, this animated film with drawers underlines the cruelty of these allegories as well as their double meaning. So many symbols of the great confusion reigning in the minds of Kokoro and his new friends, but which push them to a salutary introspection.

Because Keiichi Hara does not hesitate to question the responsibility of his characters, however young they may be, by carefully observing their ability to react to social pressure, loneliness and bullying. Fascinating, this reflection is carried by a peaceful, deliberately dispassionate staging, interspersed with sequences with a dark luster, alas often in unsightly computer-generated images that do not marry well with the elegance of the cartoon.

While the fight against bullying has become a priority in France, this film analyzes with finesse all the nuances of the problem, while trying to bring a message of hope, focusing on listening and mutual aid.