All You Need is Kill

The Brief

All You Need Is Kill was the title of Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s second novel, which was named Japan’s science fiction novel of the year in 2004. In a slightly reworked form, it became the basis for Edge of Tomorrow starring Tom Cruise. This version is an anime adaptation of the book, directed by newcomer Ken’ichirô Akimoto and produced by the legendary Studio 4°C. But if you’ve seen Edge of Tomorrow and think you know the story - think again. In the futuristic world of All You Need Is Kill, the external enemy is a sinister, psychedelic, extraterrestrial plant of enormous scale. Our heroine is the somewhat clumsy Rita. At first glance, it seems like an uneven battle - but with some training, Rita proves to be a surprisingly clever and capable opponent. Studio 4°C’s blend of CGI and hand-drawn animation works beautifully, packed with detail, color, and inventive solutions. Even background characters display personality through subtle gestures and remarks. The film’s only flaw is that, at 86 minutes, it could easily have been longer. Stories about time loops - where characters are trapped in a repeating cycle - have appeared in books like Replay, films such as Groundhog Day and Run Lola Run, and video games like The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask and Outer Wilds. Before the screening on May 29, there will be an introduction to this narrative structure by Jens Erik Vaaler from the Norwegian Film Institute. Good to know: * Language: Japanese * Subtitles: English