The Friday Film Series for the spring quarter at Kamana Senior Center begins April 1 with the first of 10 animated features, the 1926 German film “The Adventures of Prince Achmed.”
The Friday Film Series for the spring quarter at Kamana Senior Center begins April 1 with the first of 10 animated features, the 1926 German film “The Adventures of Prince Achmed.”
Patsy O’Toole, one of the Friday Film Series organizers, said the animated films that will be shown are not just for children. They are vehicles for topics which appeal to all ages and presented in visual styles which are only limited by the imagination and vision of the creators. The 10 films offer a variety of animation techniques, from the hand-drawn images of the old-school giant Disney studios to more modern computer-generated images.
“The Adventures of Prince Achmed” is the third animated film ever made and is the oldest surviving one. The story line is based on an “Arabian Nights” tale. The series ends with the 2015 film “Inside Out,” which was the recent winner of an Academy Award for best animated film. It deals with a young girl whose emotions are personified during her struggle to adapt to her family’s move to San Francisco.
“Cinderella” (1950) and “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937) will be shown as well as “The Little Mermaid” (1989). These three films showcase the Disney talent for taking fairy tales and bringing them to life in animated form and for developing music which fit and enhance the stories.
Pixar studios, a subsidiary of Disney Studios , is represented with “Monsters, Inc.” (2001) as well as “Inside Out.” Viewers will notice a distinctly different animation style in the Pixar films.
Also included is a film with animated characters and actors performing together, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” (1988), in which an animated character is accused of killing a Hollywood businessman.
During each class session, participants will be given information on the film presented and asked to look for different aspects and issues in the film. After the film, there is a discussion among class members of what they have seen.
Of special interest will be a talk by Yoshiko Okuyama, an associate professor of Japanese at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Her areas of expertise include Japanese mythology, folklore and religion. She is the author of a book titled “Japanese Mythology in Film.” On April 15, when the film “Spirited Away” (2001) is scheduled, she will give a short talk on the topic of Japanese culture and the anime film.
Anime refers to an animation style from Japan, which usually involves colorful graphics and fantastical themes. Two anime films will be shown during the series. The films are products of Japan’s Ghibli Studios, best known for anime features. At a later date “Laputa: Castle in the Sky” (1986) will be presented in the class.
This class is sponsored by the county Elderly Recreation Services Division of the Department of Parks and Recreation. The series continues each Friday until June 3. All films will be shown at 12:45 p.m. at Kamana Senior Center, 127 Kamana St. in Hilo.
The cost for the series is $10, payable at the door. Those wishing to attend should register beforehand at Kamana Senior Center.
For more information, contact O’Toole at 333-9850 or patsy_otoole@hotmail.com. A complete schedule can be sent via e-mail if requested.
Friday Film Series
The following is a list of the animated films scheduled for the spring 2016 Friday Film Series at the Kamana Senior Center. All films are shown at 12:45 on Fridays at the Kamana Senior Center. For further information, call Patsy O’Toole at 333-9850.
April 1
“The Adventures of Prince Achmed” (German, 1926), 1 hour, 7 minutes. The third animated feature film ever made and oldest survivor. Based on an Arabian Nights tale.
April 8
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937), 1 hour, 23 minutes. Disney’s first feature established its pattern of making musicals of fairy tales.
April 15
“Spirited Away” (2001), 2 hours, 4 minutes. In this anime film, a little girl goes to work for a witch to rescue her parents, turned into pigs by the witch. There will be a guest speaker on Japanese anime themes.
April 22
“Cinderella” (1950), 1 hour, 15 minutes. Disney’s version, with Lucifer the cat, Gus and Zuk-zuk the mice, and a really scary evil queen.
April 29
“Laputa: Castle in the Sky” (1986), 2 hours, 6 minutes. In this anime film, a flying castle, perpetually concealed in a thunderstorm, is home to a girl who gets involved with sky pirates, government spies and robots.
May 6
“Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” (1988), 1 hour, 44 minutes. Combined animation and live action. A cartoon character is accused of murdering a Hollywood businessman.
May 13
“The Little Mermaid” (1989), 1 hour, 22 minutes. Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s story of the mermaid who wants to be human. One of Disney’s most enjoyable.
May 20
“Monsters, Inc.” (2001), 1 hour, 33 minutes. In this Disney-Pixar production, Monster City draws energy from the terror of children. Is there a better way?
May 27
“Ratatouille” (2007), 1 hour, 51 minutes. Rat raised in a restaurant wants to be a chef.
June 3
“Inside Out” (2015), 1 hour, 35 minutes. A young girl’s emotions are personified and struggle over how to adapt to her family’s move to San Francisco.