Millennium Actress

Following up on his highly acclaimed animated psychological thriller, 'Perfect Blue', Satoshi Kon spins this mystery about a documentary filmmaker and a legendary actress, a film that Kon dared with a completely different story for his second feature film, which was released four years later. 'Millennium Actress', won the award for best animated film at the 2001 Sitges Festival. It also received the Grand Prize at the Media Arts Festival organized by the Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs, an award it shared with 'Spirited Away', released the same year.

In honor of Gin Ei studios 70th anniversary, a small production house run by Genya Tachibana is selected to make a commemorative documentary. Genya decides to focus his film on actress Chiyoko Fujiwara, a massive star who at the height of her popularity retreated from public life. Accompanied an eager young cameraman, Genya doggedly tracks her down to discover her living a hermit-like life of charmed isolation. He also learns that in spite of her advanced age, she has lost little of her famed charm or elegance. As he interviews her, Genya learns of Chiyoko's troubled past and eventually the reasons for her sudden retirement.

Directed and written by Satoshi Kon, 'Millennium Actress' won the Ofuji Noburo Award at the 2002 Mainichi Film Awards. The film was nominated for four Annie Awards, including Best Director and Best Screenplay. The film was also shortlisted for the 2003 Oscar Awards, in the category of best animated film, but failed to be nominated.