Jennie Kermode’s Art Spirit

While the grand features at the Fantasia International Film Festival draw the biggest crowds, the festival always delivers gems in its shorts programme. Among this year’s intriguing line-up is the animated feature, Foxing: Kitsuné=Tsuki.

This unique piece delves into the very mechanics of animation, yet it weaves a deeply unsettling psychological narrative about artistic struggle and spiritual experience. The film follows a struggling artist named Shinano, who grapples with an inability to focus and concentrate on her craft. Simultaneously, she experiences symptoms of kitsuné possession, adding a layer of surreal intensity to her creative journey.

The story is brought to life through the vision of relative newcomer director Takeru Shinozuka and is produced by the renowned Toei Animation, with Yoshihide Moriyama at the helm. The animation itself serves as a visual metaphor for the internal chaos that often accompanies the creative process.

Beyond the animated imagery, the film invites viewers to contemplate the delicate balance between artistic pursuit and inner turmoil. It explores what happens when the act of creation becomes inextricably linked with profound, sometimes unsettling, spiritual sensations.

The production team brought a fascinating layer of context to the project. Yoshihide Moriyama revealed that the project originated under the supervision of Toei Animation, the studio famous for monumental works like One Piece and Dragon Ball Z. This pedigree lends a unique depth to the short film, suggesting that even within the realm of stylized animation, profound human experience can be explored.

The collaboration between Moriyama and Shinozuka provided further insight into the film’s genesis. They spoke about the creative process, offering perspectives that illuminate how external pressures and internal struggles can shape the artistic vision. It was a conversation that highlighted the intersection of traditional animation craft and complex psychological themes.

Ultimately, Foxing: Kitsuné=Tsuki stands out not just as an animated short, but as a potent commentary on the intense, often bewildering experience of being an artist navigating their own mind. It is a compelling reminder that the most captivating stories are often found at the strange and beautiful edges of human consciousness.