Horst in Translation ([email protected]) This is a 25-minute animated short film from Japan. The writer and director and voice actor is Makoto Shinkai (one of Japan's rising stars in animated movies). He made this one 13 years ago before he started shooting full feature films. The story is basically about a young couple who stop seeing each other (physically) when the girl is sent to space to defend Planet Earth. From this moment on, their long-distance relationship only relies on text and video messages. Another problem is that she is so far in space that time runs considerably faster which means when she ages one year he ages 5 years or so. Just an estimate. This aspect reminded me of "Interstellar". It's a tragic love story, but it also made me question if she simply could have refused to go on this mission. Her excellent grades were surely a curse here. This film is a mix of all kinds of genres: romance, drama, animation and science fiction. All in all, it was a good watch, well-written and the animation is fine too. Something was missing to true greatness, maybe a better ending, yet I recommend it.

EL I just don't get why this is supposed to be SO great.Yes, the animation is good. But try "Samurai Champloo" or "5 Centimeters Per Second", also by Makoto Shinkai, for some really astounding animation.And yes, it tells a sad story in a minimalistic way, but that is quite common for a Japanese film, we've seen it before. And actually, "5 Centimeters Per Second" deals with the same issue, distance, in a much more profound way.If you are looking for a romantic story, you will not be satisfied, because 25 minutes are not enough to make you feel for the characters. If you expect space battles, you will also not be satisfied, as this isn't the point of the film.

Nick Kilano The emotions in which this film garnered from me were such that I never thought one could feel when viewing an anime. Every Otaku/Anime Fan has that one ground breaking moment when they have no choice but to allow their emotions to explode and weep; whether it be in joy, agony, hatred, or sorrow. There have been only three anime's that have pushed my emotions to the edge in such a way. This is one of them. I felt agony whilst watching this film. The test of time and the great expanse of space that separates these two lovers can bring any person with the capability of understanding these emotions to their knees. I watched as Makoto Shinkai created magic which left me spellbound and entranced. Each silent whisper these characters pledged, each hopeful vow never heard by the other caused another tear to spill from my eyes. The use of space and the attack on humanity made by this alien race known only as The Tarsians are incredible metaphors that Shinkai did not try to hide or make subtle. The allegory is far too brilliant to write this director off so early in his career. Distance, especially between loved ones is a test that no one deserves to live through. Though time has all but stopped for the female protagonist, her lover continues to age. Messages from one character to the other increase in time to arrive. First a day or so. Then a week. Then a month. Then six months. Then a year. A year and a half. Eight years. The silent battle waging on within the male protagonist as he attempts to wait patiently for his lover to return parallels the physical battles the female protagonist endures every day during the war. Voices of a Distant Star is a beautiful film. It should not be judged as an anime, but as an all around drama. Keep a wary eye out for Makoto Shinkai. He will one day be as revered as Miyamoto.

Joseph Sylvers Fantastic short film, all made by one man on a mac. Voices Of A Distant Star is the story of a future intergalactic war, and young couples separated by minutes, months, and eventually years communicating via texts, in one of the most entertaining movies about long distance relationships I've ever seen (the first one with space fights anyway). The direction alternates between simple objects and images caught in daytime shadows, and grandiose sweeping shots of ultra violet skys and vast alien landscapes and space. Likewise the plot alternates between introspective voice overs about longing and the passage of time, wonder at the magnitude and beauty at the psychical world, and anime style space battles with giant mech soldiers, aliens who resemble T1000esque Crustaceans, and Space Vessels which look like swans. Emotionally and visually moving anime, about growing up and growing apart.