* Silence *
Silence is golden.
At least, that's the mantra shown in almost every movie theater I've been to. Of course, the message is aimed at the crowd (and possibly their cell phones and pagers) to be quiet so everyone can listen to and enjoy the movie. Perhaps that's why home videos are so popular - you can talk all you want through them and only disturb a few other fellow viewers with you. In a world that's increasingly loud - through the noise of industry, the incessant chattering of people on cell phones, obnoxious commercials and more - silence is becoming tarnished.
And yet, there are a few moments of pure silence during the Utena movie.
Silence is almost unheard of in many American movies, many which seem more interested in blasting you to deafness via special effects. Yet silence is still a tool wielded in many anime, which causes some people to get angry when an English dub adds dialog or music where there is none in the Japanese version.
The most powerful and silent scene in the movie is undoubtly the scene preceding Utena's and Anthy's nighttime dance on the dueling platform. Belladonna no Wana, the background music playing at the beginning when Utena arrives, cuts off abruptly as Utena snatches the watering can from Anthy's hand and throws her to the ground, accusing her of taking Touga away and making him so alien to her. Her voice is pained and chokes up just mentioning her boyfriend. Anthy slowly and gently gets up as Utena collapses, patting her on the head.
There is only a soft whispering of sound as Anthy picks up the ax, and a startling clang as it strikes the pipe. Then, more silence as the scene fades into the starry sky, reflected in the water. The only sounds breaking it are Utena's startled gasp and the sound of rushing water as it sprays out of the broken pipe. In this entire scene, only one word is said: Utena says softly, "Himemiya..." as she regards the Rose Bride, smiling back at her. No words are exchanged between them, and none are needed. Utena has said all she can, and no reply is needed, or even asked of Anthy. The silence adds to the emotional impact. Words could not be used in a similar way in this scene.
It is a moment of revelation. Surprise. Joy. Acceptance. Friendship. Even the sound of rushing water dies away to absolute silence for the briefest of moments before the song, Toki ni Ai Wa begins softly. It gradually builds in intensity until it fills the entire scene with its glorious music.
It should also be noted that in the full-length version of Toki ni Ai wa, there are three seconds of pure silence. This comes right after the saxophone solo, just before Masami Okui begins to sing the chorus, Toki ni ai wa tsuyoku hito no kokoro wo kitzusuke mosuru keredo... Yet the silence is not intrusive - it's almost expected after the dizzying tones of the brassy saxophone.
There are other moments of silence, all which are much shorter in length. Utena regarding the rose garden in the rain as she tries to find Touga. The time when Utena returns to the rose garden, before receving her own rose signet. Utena as she unpacks in her new dormitory, and when she holds the yellow dress that looks exactly like the one in the photograph of her and Touga. Utena going through the hallway (Nemuro hallway!) before the final encounter with Touga. Although none of these has as much impact as the dueling platform scene, they are also important.
The next time you watch this movie, or any other movie or show, if you're lucky and the room is quiet, listen closely. The best things may be left unsaid, or unheard.
