Cast
View All
Kento Kaku
as Naranbayar (voice)
Minami Hamabe
as Sarah (voice)
Banjo Ginga
as Rastavan III (voice)
Masaki Terasoma
as Oduni Ordu (voice)
Keiko Toda
as Leopoldine (voice)
Hiroshi Kamiya
as Saladin (voice)
Chafurin
as Piripappa (voice)
Takeshi Maruyama
as Baura (voice)
Miyuki Sawashiro
as Lailala (voice)
Miru Hitotsuyanagi
as Nanny (voice)
Anna Mugiho
as Lukman / Odonchimeg (voice)
Yutaka Nakano
as Aziz (voice)
Subaru Kimura
as Jauhara (voice)
Shinmei Hashimoto
as Sanchar (voice)
Marina Mizusaki
as Ureen (voice)
Crew
Director
- Kotono Watanabe
Producer
- Toshimi Tanio
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Kotono Watanabe brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2023, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom took approximately 19 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 116 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 170 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 9 months to complete.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 8 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2023, when this film is released:
- Climate change mitigation had become a central policy concern internationally.
- The COVID-19 pandemic transformed global health, economics, and social interaction.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike A Pinwheel Without Wind, which focuses more on action than character development, Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like A Close Shave and Gone with the Wind explore similar territory, Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: January 27, 2023
- Runtime: 1h 56m
