Prepare to enter the realm of fantasy and imagination—where reality and dreams collide in a kaleidoscopic mindscape of sheer visual genius. Based on Yasutaka Tsutsui’s 1993 novel of the same name, this magical tale centers on a revolutionary machine that allows scientists to enter and record a subject's dream. After being stolen, a fearless detective and brilliant therapist join forces to recover the device—before it falls into the hands of a "dream terrorist" in this gripping anime thriller from visionary director Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers). Susumu Hirasawa’s score further blends dreams and reality by being the first made for film to use a Vocaloid, a singing voice synthesizer developed by Yamaha.
Released four years before Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster Inception explored the world of dreams, Paprika was nominated for the top prize at the 63rd Venice International Film Festival, where it also premiered. It has been recognized as one of the best animated films by Time Magazine, Time Out, and IndieWire.
"Paprika is one-of-a-kind, with a beautiful yet surreal style that make it more than just an anime version of a Hollywood thriller." —Joel Balkovec, ScreenRant
"A gorgeous riot of future-shock ideas and brightly animated imagery...a mind-twisting, eye-tickling wonder." —Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
This film screens as part of our Ani-May series, featuring Ghost in the Shell, Mind Game, Paprika, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away, May 24 to 30.