Description:
A re-imagining of Beauty and the Beast, Belle is a story of the first, tentative steps out into the world of a self-conscious teenage girl who, through her musical avatar Belle, finally discovers her true self.
Suzu is a 17-year-old high-school student who lives in the countryside with her father. She loved singing with her late mother more than anything else, but as a result of her death she is no longer able to sing. She and her father have grown increasingly distant from each other, and Suzu closed her heart to the rest of the world. Feeling that writing music is her only remaining purpose in life, Suzu discovers a huge online platform known as "U", where she assumes a stage persona, Belle. When she's inside "U" as her avatar, Belle, Suzu can sing quite naturally and quickly becomes a rising star. However, a mysterious dragon-shaped creature suddenly appears before her.
"In the past I have dealt with the way in which people have become more connected than ever before, as well as the infinite subject of connectivity via the internet, which I hope will enable the younger generation to change the world for the better in a positive and fun way. But I am also very conscious of the problems associated with the internet such as online abuse, social exclusion and fake news. However, I remain convinced that the internet can also be a useful tool, to improve the lives of all. As the internet is constantly evolving, I promised myself that I would make a film that would show its benefits." (Mamoru Hosoda)