Amoeba Music

NOT SO PINOCCHIO A puppet named Palme made from a sacred tree and fueled by a much sought-after sap that courses through his veins as life’s blood is at the center of this animated tale. Palme, originally created to care for his creator’s sickly wife, has gone lifeless since she has passed away. And now a mysterious warrioress has shown up bearing strange fruit (or rather a strange egg). Fast on her heals is a small band of purple skinned tricloptic goggle-clad subterranean mercenaries with snorkel-like breathing apparatuses driving a six-legged motorbike of sorts! Yes, I just said all that. The warrioress’ arrival brings with her Palme’s re-awakening and a mission!

PUPPET MASTER Palme was written and directed by Takashi Nakamura. Nakamura contributed as Chief Animator for one of Anime’s most amazing spectacles, Akira. Nakamura wanted to "transcend the boundaries of animation" with this film. "I wanted to delve deep into the realm of the human soul, ethically or perhaps philosophically, taking a different approach than the rest of the anime out there."

NOTE: Towards the end of Palme you will notice certain aesthetic resemblances to Akira. If you’ve seen Akira, you’ll know it when you see it. Trust me.

NOTE 2.0: Also the viewers of Akira won’t help but notice and be disturbed by the high-pitched vocal quality of some of the main characters. Made creepy in Akira by large-faced mutant children and made creepy here by a living doll and and a doll-faced girl. EEP! There is a scene in which Palme is being abducted and has been restrained with a collar. The bizarre gasping screeches he exudes while attempting escape were nothing short of unnerving.

P.S. I’m referring to the English Audio versions of these films. Yeah, I was kinda lame and watched the dubbed versions (sorries).

CREATOR OF WORLDS Just after the opening titles finish my favorite scene starts… Koram, the above-mentioned warrioress, is fleeing the pursuit of the mercenaries in their "spider bike" across a desert-like plain at night. The scene grabbed my attention with its world's design (as in, the world they have designed). There are interesting technologies, clothing, and landscapes. All things a good vacation destination should be comprised of in my book! The world of Palme has gnarled and bulbous roots, vast plains, duct-ridden caverns, flocks of giant jellyfish meandering by, and cactus-like spirits which may or may not be friendly…