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Information

• Member: WUNETTI Productions
• Studio: WUNETTI Productions
• Title: Scarlet Touch and Roses Rain
• Premiered: 2005-07-18
• Categories:
  • Drama
  • Romance
• Song:
  • Sting Desert Rose
• Anime:
  • Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie (Adolescence Of Utena)
• Participation:
  • Anime Expo 2005, Anime Expo 2005 (2005-07-01)
• Comments: I was surprised nearly beyond belief that no one had done this song to Utena before.
  
  I once had a conversation with a friend about what could truly be considered "art," and he said that AMVs couldn't be because there wasn't real creation involved, because making AMVs is just working with things that other people have created. When I first got the idea for this vid, I knew that it would have to be as close as I could get to making an AMV "art."
  
  Now that it's done, I think I've managed that. I may never manage it again, but I don't hesitate to consider this "art."
  
  The Utena movie is one of the most beautiful pieces of anime ever created, in my opinion. I'd wanted to create an AMV for it for a long time, but there was the natural problem of what song to use. You can't force an anime to work with a song, or you get a bad AMV. When I heard "Desert Rose" on the radio, I realized that there might be something there... The song is mysterious and ethereal in its own way, much like the Utena movie, and I started putting bits and pieces together in my mind. Once I watched the movie again and started scripting, I knew I had something, and that it could be beautiful.
  
  Unfortunately, what I didn't know was that this would be my first real work with enough transition effects to choke an elephant.
  
  Naturally, some things just happened along the way. I do scripts for all my vids, but there were moments where things fell into place without my forethought or permission, and they worked beautifully - the focus on Utena and Anthy's hands, especially at romantic times, to name one. One of my friends says that the first part with Utena and Anthy together makes it look like Utena's proposing to Anthy - not my intention, but I like the interpretation. I deliberately made sure that no other character appeared except the couple, save for the still shots of Akio during the lyrics' references to flames and a "man's desire." Seemed appropriate, considering Akio in the movie. The dual transition beginning at 2:25 took some doing, but it's one of my favorite shots.
  
  Finally, the reversed bit with the bridges and buildings of campus, starting at 3:44, took an hour and a half to make, just for sixteen seconds. It was completely worth it.
  
  The stills used for this vid were taken from Empty Movement, one of the best and brightest Utena fansites out there. Visit them at http://ohtori.nu/ - but make sure you've got free time. If you're an Utena fan, you'll be bookmarking this one. Trust me.
  
  In the end, I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I think it captures something about the relationship between Utena and Anthy - just what that something is, I leave to you to figure out, as interpretation is part of art. I truly feel that this is the best AMV I've ever made, and if I never make another one, I'd be happy with this as a finale.