Kaori Shoji : Painter man escapes street
Reviews Linda Hattendorf, The Cats of Mirikitani, at The Japan Times (07.09.2007) :
Thus began the cohabitation of Linda Hattendorf and Jimmy Mirikitani, whose relationship comes off like something one may see in a Yasujiro Ozu film: an elderly uncle and his favorite niece. Having installed him in her one-bedroom apartment, Hattendorf recorded their conversations with Mirikitani at work. At 80 he constantly worked. The only demands he made were for more pens.
Five years later these recordings became the documentary "The Cats of Mirikitani." It features Mirikitani, his art and the gaze of Hattendorf, which is warm but never intrusive or sentimental. She wished to help him, but she makes no bones about their cohabitation being a collaborative project rather than an act of aid on her part. Jimmy would never allow himself to be pitied anyway.
Gradually they forge emotional bonds — when Linda has a night out and comes home after midnight Jimmy scolds her like a high-school girl past her curfew ("I was worried, so worried!"). When Jimmy, in turn, takes a walk in Washington Square Park and doesn't make it home, Linda can't help voicing her concern. At times, his colossal artist's ego rises to the surface and you wonder how Linda can put up with it; at other times their relationship seems deeply trusting and grounded on the kind of friendship that you rarely get to see, on screen or in real life. "Cats" is striking because of this unlikely and incredible intimacy, a tale of two completely different people who care about (and care for) each other without any apparent need to shorten the distance between them.
I downloaded to see the PBS version. "A tale of two completely different people who care about ..." is right. Kaori-san is sensitive, excellent.
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