A scene from the animated film 'Paprika' showing a young woman with short reddish-brown hair falling or floating through a cloudy sky. She's wearing a bright red top and green skirt, with her arms outstretched as she moves through the air. The background features a dramatic sky filled with white and gray clouds against a deep blue backdrop. The character appears to be in mid-motion, captured in a dynamic pose that suggests either falling or flying. The art style is characteristic of director Satoshi Kon's distinctive animation, with vivid colours and dreamlike imagery typical of the film's surreal narrative.

Birmingham Anime Film Festival 2025: Paprika

Subtitled, Foreign language

About Birmingham Anime Film Festival 2025: Paprika

Based on the science fiction novel by Tsutsui Yasutaka, Paprika explores the themes of the subconsciousness and the relationship between the realms of dream and reality. It tells the story of Dr Chiba Atsuko, a genius scientist by day, and a dream warrior named Paprika by night. In the near future, a revolutionary new psychotherapy treatment has been invented. Through a special device therapists can enter people’s dreams and explore their unconscious thoughts. When one of the prototypes is stolen, Dr Chiba sets on a mission to discover who is behind the plot to undermine the new invention. In the wrong hands, the potential misuse of the devise could be devastating, allowing the user to completely annihilate a dreamer’s personality while they are asleep…

Kon’s psychedelic film overpowers the viewer with its visual grandeur, inviting the audience to indulge in its eccentric world. Following the heroine into two realms, it demands constant switching between aesthetics and images, varying from detailed, ultrarealistic urban panoramas to whimsical characters derived from popular culture, Japanese tradition and the surreal imperia of nightmares and dreams.

Booking info

To book Accessible tickets and free Companion tickets, please visit our Accessible Bookings page. Companion tickets will initially show a standard ticket price, but once your account is set-up and you are logged in, this will be reduced to £0 at checkout.

Duration includes trailers, adverts and any Q&A/panel. For events such as NT Live, Colour Box and Reel & Meal there will be minimal advertising. We do not admit latecomers after the main feature has started and we have a limited food & drink policy.

MAC’s cinema programme has been generously supported by BFI Film Audience Network and Film Hub Midlands.

Dates and times

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