Netflix is preparing to receive an avalanche of Christmas titles starting in December, but one of the best Christmas movies is about to disappear from its catalogue. ‘Tokyo Godfathers’, the emotional and somewhat bittersweet fable by the teacher Satoshi Kon It will be available on Netflix only until November 30.
Three atypical Magi
Christmas Eve is not a particularly happy day when you have nowhere to live. On the streets of Tokyo, three homeless people find an abandoned baby in the garbage. Despite the snow and cold, the three decide to embark on the adventure of finding the creature’s family, whatever the cost.
The untimely death of Satoshi Kon It is, without a doubt, one of the greatest losses of the seventh art. The Japanese filmmaker left us the masterful anime series ‘Paranoia Agent’, as well as four wonderful films: ‘Perfect Blue’, ‘Paprika’, ‘Millenium Actress’ and ‘Tokyo Godfathers’ itself.
Probably this is his friendliest and most optimistic work, although it also has its bittersweet touches. Kon presents us with a story that distances itself from the artificiality of many Christmas films and, nevertheless, in the end extols good feelings.
The setting of the story cannot be less joyful: three homeless dragging a thorny personal situation that has led them to end up there, an abandoned baby about to die… the director does not hesitate to show us the least pleasant facet of societythe other side of the coin in the middle of a festivity like this (let’s remember that, in Japan, Christmas has no religious connotation but is something purely commercial).
However, the movie does not intend to wallow in misfortune or send an idealized optimistic message: Talk honestly about how, even in the worst of scenarios, there is room for kindness, learning to overcome past mistakes, and valuing the people around us.
It is also surprising that one of the main characters is a trans woman. Although the treatment given to her is not the most correct seen today, taking into account that it is a 2003 Japanese film, it is at least striking that she is one of the protagonists and that her role in the story be so positive Besides, Hana is honestly the funniest character on the film.
‘Tokyo Godfathers’ is heartbreaking as well as emotional: a Christmas story in which kindness and redemption survive harsh reality. If you still haven’t been able to take a look at this Satoshi Kon gem, you have just over 48 hours until they remove it from the platform.