Written by: Adrian Andulan | Published on: July 23, 2021 at 10:00 AM PHT (GMT+8)
The animated film with a 'Beauty and the Beast' twist by filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda has been reported to have received a 14-minute standing ovation after its release at the Cannes film festival. It joins the likes of 'The Paperboy' and 'Pan's Labyrinth' as the lengthiest standing ovations in the festival's history.
Released on July 15th during the festival and now available to watch in Japan, the film has received rave reviews from many critics. The likes of The Hollywood Reporter, Collider, IndieWire, and Time Out have all praised the new animated feature for its emotional complexity and animation. Online, users have compared the length of the standing ovation of 'Belle' to other feature films, with the 14-minute duration being longer than many Academy award gems such as 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' and 'Inside Llewyn Davis'.
Director Mamoru Hosoda showed his appreciation for the love and support his film received, shaking hands with the audience who watched his work. Many have remarked that the film is a twist to the familiar 'Beauty and the Beast' story set in a virtual world.
The movie 'Belle' tells the story of Suzu, a 17-year-old high school girl who suffers from a personal tragedy that leaves her reluctant to enjoy her passion, singing. But she finds herself in the world of "U", an online space where people exist as avatars and interact with each other. there, she takes on the role of "Belle" a music idol, where she manages to share her love of music and singing. But in that online world, she meets a mysterious figure known as The Dragon.
Source: Time Out, Anime News Network
