2K DCP Restoration of Anno’s 1998 Live-Action Debut Hits New York and Los Angeles THIS month!
In a groundbreaking moment for anime fans and Japanese cinema enthusiasts alike, Hideaki Anno’s LOVE & POP, his first-ever live-action feature, will have its first-ever North American theatrical release. The 1998 film, originally shot with handheld digital cameras, will be presented in a newly restored 2K DCP format with technical adjustments for its upcoming screenings.
LOVE & POP will debut at the IFC Center in New York City on February 21, followed by a release at the American Cinematheque’s Los Feliz 3 in Los Angeles starting February 23, with additional cities to be announced soon.
The premiere of the new restoration took place on February 1 at New York City’s Japan Society, marking a significant step in bringing this underappreciated gem to a wider audience.
Film Synopsis:
Set in July 1997, LOVE & POP follows Tokyo schoolgirl Hiromi and her friends as they spend their summer dating older men for money. With just a cellphone in hand, Hiromi embarks on a mission to raise ¥128,000, aiming to buy an expensive topaz ring before the mall closes for the day.
Based on the novel by Ryū Murakami, LOVE & POP is a daring exploration of youth and identity from Anno, best known as the creator of Neon Genesis Evangelion. The film’s radical approach to storytelling—filmed using handheld digital cameras, distorted lenses, and a mix of unconventional angles—offers a raw, immersive portrait of Japanese teenage life on the cusp of the 21st century. Despite being largely overlooked for years, LOVE & POP stands as a unique snapshot of a generation’s struggles with alienation and self-discovery.
Film Credits:
- Directed by: Hideaki Anno
- Written by: Akio Satsukawa
- Original Novel by: Ryū Murakami
- Executive Produced by: Toshimichi Otsuki
- Produced by: Miyuki Nanri
- Cinematography by: Takahide Shibanushi
- Music by: Shinkichi Mitsumune
- Edited by: Hiroshi Okuda
Running Time: 110 minutes
Theme Song: “Ano subarashii ai wo mouichido” by Asumi Miwa
LOVE & POP promises to be a visual and emotional experience for audiences, highlighting Anno’s bold approach to filmmaking before his iconic contributions to anime. Fans of his work in Evangelion will find much to appreciate in this unique live-action debut.
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