If Angel s Egg is a vision of the death of God, then The Labyrinth Files: File 538 is its sardonic counterpoint: a vision of her unexpected rebirth. Oshii s theological diptych uses genre references only as touchstones. Angel s Egg looks and behaves like allegory: a forlorn young woman longing to be pregnant wanders a depopulated landscape – medieval streets, post- industrial debris – under lowering crimson skies. Surviving inhabitants form an undifferentiated mass, united in worship of false gods. A young soldier whose musket has the shape of a cross gives the girl a giant egg to nurture. But that which is given can also be taken away… The Borges-like File 538 opens with radio reports of the disappearances of numerous jumbo jets as they fly over Tokyo. A sweaty private eye investigating a mysterious father and daughter has broken into their room. He finds a file marked for his attention on the computer screen, a tale of three men in one, a building which technically doesn t exist and a school of giant carp at 33,000 feet… Conceptually challenging, superbly designed and highly original, these two graphic conundrums are amongst the finest animations made anywhere in the 1980s. (T.R.)
Film details
- Country of production
- Japan
- Year
- 1985
- Festival edition
- IFFR 2000
- Length
- 71"
- Medium/Format
- 35mm
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