THE SKY CRAWLERS

In this world, peace reigns – and yet war is being waged. Corporations stage it as a show, the public follows attacks and retreats on television, and humanity’s bloodlust is thus satisfied without any larger conflicts breaking out. The fighting takes place in the air, carried out by the “Kildren”: genetically designed people who never age and only die when they are shot down. Eternal youths in fighter planes. “The Sky Crawlers” (Japan 2008) by Mamoru Oshii follows the young pilot Yuichi Kannami, who arrives at a new base and runs into questions that no one there will answer – not even the commanding officer.

Oshii, who became known for “Ghost in the Shell”, has described his intention as follows: people could only value peace and reality if there were war. The film screened in the 2008 Venice competition, one of two Japanese animated films among 21 entries. “The Sky Crawlers” was shown at Around the World in 14 Films in Berlin in 2009, in the Spezial Anime section.

Shown at the 2009 edition of Around the World in 14 Films.

All films 2009 · Film Archive