Growing up, we all had that one person in our family who we clung to with reckless abandonment. To some, it’s one of their parents, be it their mother or father. For others it might be that cool aunt or uncle that lets you get away with stuff. Some of us are enthralled by our grandparents. We live for the life experience they impart to us. I definitely fell into the latter category. My family lived fairly close to my grandparents. Their house was basically a second home to my sister and I. Some of my fondest memories are etched into the walls of that place. It was a crushing blow to both of us, and my family as a whole, when my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer.

I was eight years old when I found out she was knocking on death’s door. As an eight year old, I didn’t understand something like death or even why I was feeling depressed. What I did understand however was that I needed an escape. Ironically, around this time was when my parents gave my sister and I our first computer. This provided the perfect avenue for an escape. This also happened to be the foundation of my love for film. I would spend hours a day reading and researching the lives of talents within the medium. A year later when my grandmother passed on, film continued to be my way of grieving. 

Nearly twenty years later, I have long completed the grieving process, but my love for the medium of film has never left me. I’m a cinephile through and through. Film appears to be one of the only mediums that consistently brings twists in storytelling that I wasn’t expecting - which brings us to another selection from Fantasia Festival 2021: Pompo: the Cinephile. Much like myself, Pompo is a lover of movies and, unlike me, she produces them. She consistently has a series of b-movies that light up the big screen. That is, until she takes on an unlikely script from a debut director and actor to create an arthouse piece that shakes the foundations of their version of Hollywood. Much like we discussed in our It Could Happen to You episode, this movie is incredibly wholesome. It’s incredibly refreshing to experience a movie so pure. The heart of Pompo is truly inspiring.

A large portion of why the heart for this movie has such strength comes from its core cast. Pompo is who the movie is named after, but she is far from the star of the film. This was another factor I found rejuvenating within the movie. The audience follows Gene, Pompo’s assistant, and brand new actress Natalie throughout the film. They are the driving forces of the story being told within Pompo. As I’ll address within the mental health moment below, Pompo is here basically to challenge both creatively. Echoing what I was saying earlier, the fact that the narrative decides to follow Gene and Natalie creates a purity within this film that feels rare in movies being made today.

The richness of Pompo doesn’t stop at its storytelling but is woven into every frame of the movie. The animation is gorgeous. There is a layer of richness within the animation. Coupled with a vibrant color palette that makes this world truly come alive. Its vibrant palette almost feels like an extension of its narrative. The character development for each of these characters is another work of art. Both arcs of Gene and Natalie are examples of master class storytelling. The characters aren’t afraid to be vulnerable, resulting in genuine compassion for these characters that will make you, as the audience, desire to see them succeed. Everyone loves a good success story but Pompo goes above and beyond for its characters. 

Perhaps one of the most intriguing things about Pompo is the way it even feels like a commentary on the industry of filmmaking as a whole. There is one point within the film where characters have a conversation on the state of b-movies. B-movies are generally looked down upon by the general population, and are mostly made for niche audiences. Since the title character is a producer of primarily these types of movies, the film takes time to comment on this idea. Later in the film, it also addresses how hard it is to make a movie. Let’s be honest: how often do we think about the gaffer or the artist who scores the film when we go see a movie? I appreciate that Pompo took the extra time to establish the true challenges of filmmaking. It helps not only its narrative but its commentary feel more authentic.

Overall, Pompo: the Cinephile is not only one of the best animated movies of the year; I would even go as far to say it is the best animated movie of the year. The animation is rich, as is the story, the world building, and its characters. No other movie this year touches the character development of Pompo. It’s funny, charming, and above all else, one of the purest movies to be released within the last ten years. There is nothing like Pompo the Cinephile - making it the must see movie of this year. 

Rorschach Rating:

Mental Health Moment: Pompo is the kind of person that authentically believes in you. Even when you don’t believe in yourself. Throughout the film’s first act, Gene is having a lot of issues believing in himself. Even when Natalie is introduced, she is the same way. The two characters are incredibly timid. What makes their character development so impactful is actually the fact that they learn to grow out of their timid practices - thanks to Pompo. Sometimes that’s what we need. We need people like Pompo who believe in us and see the potential in us even if we can’t see it ourselves. Chances are we are going to come out on the other side of that journey better for it. Find yourself someone who can challenge you to grow.

If you or someone you know is reading this right now and struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message, or tweet at us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the suicide lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth!

Victims and Villains is written (and produced) by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey and others, and edited by Cam Smith. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. Pompo the Cinephile is property of CLAP. We do not own nor claim any rights.

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