ANNE, ANIMATED

As a postscript to Kristine McKenna’s excellent article about Jon Blair’s documentary “Anne Frank Remembered” (“Dearest of Diaries,” Feb. 18):

While visiting Japan last year, I had the opportunity of seeing a new feature-length animated film, “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Unlikely as a cartoon version of this famous tragedy might sound, animation in Japan is taken seriously, and the subject matter was treated with unusual delicacy by the Japanese artists who made the film. The drama was abetted with a sensitive musical score by Michael Nyman of “The Piano” fame.

Although idealized and simplified for its intended younger audience, the richness of the artwork (with superbly detailed renderings of wartime Amsterdam) and adherence to basic facts made this film a remarkable addition to the other cinematic versions of Anne Frank’s inspiring life.

It was also heartening to note that somewhere in the world, children were being taught--in movie theaters--the harsh lessons of war and ethnic hatred. The young Japanese audience surrounding me was deeply moved by the film, perhaps no less so than if the story’s protagonist had been a girl living in their own town or city. That’s the timelessness of Anne Frank’s diary, and it translated beautifully into Japanese.

MICHAEL SINGER

Pasadena

Jon Blair is correct when he says that “every political event is made up of thousands of personal choices.” Holocaust revisionists who say Anne Frank’s diary is “fiction” have made a choice.

Such people hope that you and I will “see” what they have. That is why I choose to demonstrate how nutty and disgusting their views are. Individuals with deep feeling, full of heart, strive to ensure that Anne’s story will never be forgotten.

DAVID TULANIAN

Victorville