Makima and The Art of Cinema!
Light spoilers on the whole of part one ahead
Introduction.
Makima as a character is such an interesting character. Said this twice as there is Makima the character, and an interesting character inside Makima. This will all tie in at the very end of this post. To introduce why Makima and movies work out, need to explain what makes a film too.
Makima and the art of perfection in film making.
Intentional or not from Tatsuki Fujimoto, Makima links with films gives a bit more to explore on with her character.
What are films known for? When people ask about a film, two main questions come in mind: what’s the film about and is it good. Some intrigued people get more curious and ask who made it and the cast, and for the more ‘delectable taste’ as they are not much of the daredevils, they ask how long it takes and are there any other movies they can pull similarities with. In essence; what’s so unique about the film being made?
From the two main questions, it interestingly explains Makima’s character with others. Like movies, hindsight one can decide the quality of the film through edits, re-shoots, cuts etc., and also summarize what’s it about. That is what makes Makima such an interesting character, it’s how she curated the way others perceive their relationship with her provided she meets the status quo like how movies needs a good direction, a good stage, good lighting etc.
She manages to make such a fascinating tale with others despite it being scripted, all made with a perfect vision in mind, something actual bonds can’t relate to. She’s at the perfect stage to be saved, to be spoken to, knows some people’s lines and makes humor of repeating them to them as she sort of took their actions and planned. And it goes beyond planning for many follow suit to present this perfect vision with her. Because movies are trying their best to be as real and authentic as possible, we understand it took an incredible amount of effort for it to be as real and authentic as possible. Even if movies achieve this, at the end, it took a good performance and everything to work out well; developing this perfect image. To top all these, Makima diverse through all types of genres to accomplish the ends of each.
During the time she wanted Denji, she promised a date thus was diving into the romance genre. While others went to hell, she escorted them into the experience of suspense and horror. While making the contract with Aki, there was the mystery parts to it. All showcased her wide variety with these sort of situations that come with betrayal, lust, fear, doubt, anger and a lot more when other characters are in her reach, in the scene. And that’s all it takes at the end of it; a perfect script, the cast members present, the scene they are in, all of it emulating reality and authenticity as to be perfect.
But that isn’t reality. Even as people lie, it comes in a flawed manner, which in on itself is authentic. One is clueless while meeting new people, one creates that sort of trust for they care enough to. Whether a bad sort of care or good, that’s something people build with each other.
Her relationship with Denji.
When it comes to her relationship with Denji especially when Aki dies, Makima tells the audience [us and Denji] enough about this. She states it clear that she sees what she does to Denji’s relationship with others as a sort of transaction; if Denji does things well he’s rewarded by these bonds, and if he misbehaves she takes it away till he learns to behave. It’s a simple act of control but it paints a beautiful picture of what a good quality movie looks like. She understands what makes a good movie, but that inconsequently controls how she looks at what makes real bonds that people have. Unlike movies, they are allowed to be flawed, people learn from each other, and in due time they get to know one another. This reality doesn’t have a great script, or great cast, or the intended scene, as it cares enough to make mistakes not wanted in films.
『The direction, stage, and lighting can be awful at times due to the miscommunication, mistrust, closing off, boasting, jealously, bickering etc. People’s relationship can’t be cut or re-edited, people live with this.』
This is something Makima can’t simply accept as it in her nature to have things as perfect. She allowed her ability to dictate how she can climb up and get what she wants; she can create the perfect film. Even in her dying breath, as Denji still tries to understand who she really was, was all that really worth it, what she thought about him… she remained silent and couldn’t understand or care enough to ask for any mercy from him while he knows. She closed off to be a part of the flawed script, to be part of reality.
In the end, Makima didn’t just want Denji out of the picture, she simply despised how he viewed these bonds with care out of his control. Denji was someone, who like Makima, started off not knowing much of what actual relationships are but made an effort to know them for he states, ‘he feels them’. He doesn’t shut them off no matter how much they hurt, or how much he wanted to. He wants happy ones… which indirectly caused suffering when taken away. And as Makima looked at him in silence in her death, Denji’s love and interest in her despite the obvious means and justifications Makima implemented on him, he chose to keep it.
In another world.
Makima is a troubled character, obviously lol, and it’s hard to decipher her in fanfictions or ‘alternative’ critiques as she cannot seem to exist without her perfect film. She’s a character inside a character. How does one depict her world with authenticity, despite knowing the perfect reality it holds? But as a fan who’s about to step out of line… if she could live without, that in on itself could be an interesting new perspective in her character.
In another world, she could make a perfect yet flawed film director or movie critic. She could capture a good scene, write a good script, give a well thought out story but most audience to it even if they point that out, they would say, ‘there wasn’t that connection, but it’s a great film.’ That, or in a perfect world, she does get rewarded for this impact and reach for art is subjective lol.
Would she make a good enough actress? Trying to decipher her from control can’t be well accomplished as she is the control devil, a character who can’t live without it. Without the bloodlust may be she can safely win an Oscar without a singe!
In conclusion.
Even if there didn’t seem to be care of flaws; a perfection due to its depiction… she had a care towards perfection; a depiction in script. It’s both sad and fitting, a weapon of control also controlled by the actions around her including her own; Makima as a character, and an interesting character inside Makima. Genuine adoration of her cannot be stated enough and she makes not only a perfect villain, but a broken machine acted by a perfect human.
