After the death of President Park Chung Hee in 1979, Parks protege Chun Doo Hwan staged an internal coup, taking full control of the military. He then imposed martial law across the country, setting off protests amongst frustrated citizens. In May 1980, thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators rallied against the oppressive government, culminating in a deadly civilian riot known as the Gwangju Uprising. Shortly thereafter, Chun took office as the nations 11th President, establishing a dictatorial government labeled the "e;5th Republic"e;. Chuns repressive regime eventually fell to the public outcry for democracy. In early 1988, just a few months short of the Seoul Olympics opening, Roh Tae Woo became the first popularly elected Korean president, marking the end of the 5th Republic era.
Given the sensitive nature
...First Press limited edition comes with a bonus CD of previously unreleased songs including Lillian & darling, collaboration numbers with Scha Dara Parr & Curly Giraffe, plus more.
...Since the release of his award-winning short Voices From a Distant Star in 2002, visionary animator Shinkai Makoto has been earmarked as the future of Japanese animation, the next Miyazaki. Though these are no easy expectations to live up to, Shinkai has shown that the hype is well deserved with his 2004 follow-up The Place Promised Our Early Days & now 5 Centimeters Per Second, a.k.a. a chain of short stories about their distance. The title refers to the speed at which cherry blossoms fall to the ground, a fitting image of the films delicate, lyrical splendor. 5 Centimeters Per Second continues with the soft, dreamy aesthetic & bittersweet adolescent sentiments of Shinkais previous works, but this time he moves away from the sci-fi themes, reveling in the lingering beauty of the everyday.
Split into three episodes, 5 Centimenters Per Second follows the tender romance & coming-of-age of Takaki & Akari. They first meet as fourth-graders, lonely souls who love the same books & become the best of friends. When Takaki moves far away, it marks the end of his childhood & an unforgettable friendship. In his high school years, he becomes the object of affection for a young surfer girl named Kanae. As adults, Takaki & Akari watch the cherry blossoms fall, alone in their memories. 5 Centimeters Per Second does not tell so much a story, but a feeling, a portrait of life & longing captured by a distant train, a m