Tomodachi

Originally releasing in Japan on April 26th, 2013, contemporary pop artist Takashi Murakami’s first film, “Jellyfish Eyes”, has made its debut in the United States! The film started airing at the IFC Center theater in New York City last week, and will be shown until July 23rd, thanks to the efforts of Janus Films and Criterion Collection. A film 12 years in the making, “Jellyfish Eyes” is a story Murakami created for children, and deals with issues like coming to terms with grief, putting aside differences to work together, and how companionship emerges from times of disaster. Working on the film both as a director and as a designer, Murakami’s hand can be seen in both the storytelling and the character designs of the whimsical species whom befriend the children in the movie, called F.R.I.E.N.D.S. From big-eyed marshmallow jellyfish to hulking hairy beasts, Murakami has cited a variety of influences in the designs of “Jellyfish Eyes”, from Power Rangers to Spielberg movies.Upon the completion of the initial screening, it was also announced that a sequel to “Jellyfish Eyes” is already in the works, though little else was announced about the sequel’s plot or release date. Check out the trailer for “Jellyfish Eyes” below, and stay tuned for more information about future theatrical releases across the United States!