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Satoshi Kon, director of the excellent Millenium Actress and interesting-but-flawed Paprika, passed away late summer last year unexpectedly at the age of 46 from pancreatic cancer. I didn't learn of this news until today, quite randomly. It's sad that the news didn't travel far enough to me at the time of his death. It speaks of its untimeliness, as he was the sort of promising director whose filmography could become a cult favourite given perhaps a couple more projects. He was working on The Dream Machine, which his production team at Mad House continued to work on after his death, to be released some time this year. It's on my Screen List (developing) for films I'm looking forward to see now.
As an apt twist to a cinematic figure's life story, Satoshi Kon was given about six months to live after the diagnosis. He kept this news to only his wife and a couple of friends until the first death-scare of pneumonia. He explained this odd decision, amongst other ramblings, in a letter posted on his blog posthumously by his family, which has been translated to English by a fan. It's a touching read (and helps to remind me why I've come to think of all the things that could kill you in old age, Alzheimer's is a blessing in disguise, sort of?). Satoshi was able to elucidate what made him happy and scared at the same time - the good things life, and the letting go of them. I think I can relate.
There are so many people that I want to see at least once (well there are some I don't want to see too), but if I see them I'm afraid that that the thought that "I can never see this person again" will take me over, and that I wouldn't be able to greet death gracefully.
I loved the world I lived in. Just the fact that I can think that makes me happy.Living a life that makes you love it - that's all you can hope for, methinks.
R.I.P. Satoshi.
4 Response to Satoshi Kon's last words, or: Cancer sucks
I wat to die lik Herbert Von Karajan. According to the story, he was receiving-- I think it was Sony music executives-- anyway, talking to some big shots smaller than himself, and then suddenly he stops midstream and urgently requests a glass of water. It's brought to him and he drinks it quickly, and then slumps over dead.
Bernstein was brought news mid-concert in Paris and stopped, addressed the audience in French requesting them to stand in silence in honor of the passing of Maestro Von Karajan.
I don't mind if nobody stops a concert for me, but I'd love to drink a glass of water and then just slump over dead.
--Happy Election!!
Sudden death? That's horrible! Although, perhaps merciful. But horrible for everyone else!
But a *noble* death, merciful and in the midst of being important! And his legacy was so full (and he was old).
I've actually been enjoying my Karajan recordings a lot more lately.
Again, SEND?
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