Editor recommends: Studio Ghibli | Candid Magazine
HOME
MAGAZINE
ARTS
FASHION
FILM
MUSIC
SUBMISSIONS
CONTACT
FILM
Editor recommends: Studio Ghibli on Jul 31, 2012
I’m sure many of you grew up watching the numerous animated motion pictures that the world of Disney created. Films such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, as well as more recent incarnations, The Princess and the Frog and the delightful, Tangled are all so familiar, so ingrained into our minds that they are simply a part of our past and present. However, I want to introduce you to a world very similar to the one Walt Disney created, full of fantastical lands, evil demons and witches, as well as mighty Gods that take the form of cute little animals. Where Western audiences alike have enjoyed Simba take his rightful place as King of Pride Rock or Snow White clean up after seven dwarves, natives of Japan have fallen in love with the world of Studio Ghibli. Founded in 1985 and headed by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, Studio Ghibli has so far eighteen films to its name, numerous awards, including an Oscar, as well as its very own museum in Tokyo. Though none of this really matters unless you have the pleasure of watching one of its features, which believe me, is an experience unlike any other. Admittedly I am a bit of psycho when it comes to films, making, sorry forcing people to watch something if I genuinely believe they’re going to love it. Ghibli is probably top of my list. It’s difficult to pinpoint which one of these films stands out the most as they’re all so very different, yet beautiful, stunning even, highlighting some of society’s greatest issues and flaws from the destruction of nature, instability of the human condition and the devastating effects of war. Just like Disney, these films are full of hidden messages, though whether you choose to acknowledge such things is another matter.
One of my favourites and probably the most successful of the bunch is Spirited Away, released in 2001; to this day it is the highest grossing film of all time in its native Japan (even overtaking Titanic) and was the first of the Studio Ghibli collection to gain recognition worldwide, most notably in America where it won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Spirited Away begins with ten year old Chihiro, the protagonist of the story as she, along with
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
her parents, travels to a new home, leaving everything she has ever known behind. However they run into trouble when her mother and father are turned into pigs upon becoming curious about an abandoned theme park which turns out to be a spirit world, dominated by the evil witch, Yubaba. What follows is Chihiro’s journey through this unfamiliar, magical place, so unlike her own. Used to being spoilt and entirely reliant on her parents she is forced to fend for herself and subsequently becomes independent and generously sweet natured. What I will say about this film is don’t let its success override your own opinion on whether you see it or not. Hype over films can be frustrating and it’s not always the case that they’re as good as one is led to believe. I think Spirited Away is as brilliant as all the critics say but that’s just a handful of opinions. Simply be openminded and enjoy a great piece of escapism. Less well known of the Studio Ghibli collection is the Isao Takahata directed Grave of the Fireflies, released in 1988. This haunting film bares little if any resemblance to Spirited Away and does not run with any fantastical or magical themes. Instead it focuses on the devastating effects of World War 2 on two orphaned children, fourteen year old Seita and his four year old sister, Setsuko in Kobe, Japan. I think the first three times of watching this, I cried and I mean cried. The subject matter is very sensitive and can be particularly painful to watch but at the same time, these do not come to the forefront of your mind until afterwards, when you’re contemplating just what happened and how horrific this war was for a lot more people than those from your own country. If you’re looking for something away from the mainstream then this is it, but ensure you have a box of tissues.
Some other stand-outs are the utterly delightful My Neighbour Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, the very funny The Cat Returns and a stunning epic, Howl’s Moving Castle. There are also reincarnations of some classics such as Ponyo (rethinking of The Little Mermaid) and The Secret World of Arriety (The Borrowers) as well; Spirited Away draws on many of Alice in Wonderland’s themes. Sorry to sound morbid but these films are truly ones to watch before you die. Samuel Sims. Tweet
3
Previous post DVD review: Trishna
Like
3
Next post Review: Eames: The Architect and the Painter
© 2012 Candid Publications Ltd. Company Registration Number: 8025351 Registered In England And Wales
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
MAGAZINE
ARTS
FASHION
FILM
MUSIC
SUBMISSIONS
CONTACT
FILM
Editor recommends: Studio Ghibli on Jul 31, 2012
I’m sure many of you grew up watching the numerous animated motion pictures that the world of Disney created. Films such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, as well as more recent incarnations, The Princess and the Frog and the delightful, Tangled are all so familiar, so ingrained into our minds that they are simply a part of our past and present. However, I want to introduce you to a world very similar to the one Walt Disney created, full of fantastical lands, evil demons and witches, as well as mighty Gods that take the form of cute little animals. Where Western audiences alike have enjoyed Simba take his rightful place as King of Pride Rock or Snow White clean up after seven dwarves, natives of Japan have fallen in love with the world of Studio Ghibli. Founded in 1985 and headed by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, Studio Ghibli has so far eighteen films to its name, numerous awards, including an Oscar, as well as its very own museum in Tokyo. Though none of this really matters unless you have the pleasure of watching one of its features, which believe me, is an experience unlike any other. Admittedly I am a bit of psycho when it comes to films, making, sorry forcing people to watch something if I genuinely believe they’re going to love it. Ghibli is probably top of my list. It’s difficult to pinpoint which one of these films stands out the most as they’re all so very different, yet beautiful, stunning even, highlighting some of society’s greatest issues and flaws from the destruction of nature, instability of the human condition and the devastating effects of war. Just like Disney, these films are full of hidden messages, though whether you choose to acknowledge such things is another matter.
One of my favourites and probably the most successful of the bunch is Spirited Away, released in 2001; to this day it is the highest grossing film of all time in its native Japan (even overtaking Titanic) and was the first of the Studio Ghibli collection to gain recognition worldwide, most notably in America where it won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Spirited Away begins with ten year old Chihiro, the protagonist of the story as she, along with
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
her parents, travels to a new home, leaving everything she has ever known behind. However they run into trouble when her mother and father are turned into pigs upon becoming curious about an abandoned theme park which turns out to be a spirit world, dominated by the evil witch, Yubaba. What follows is Chihiro’s journey through this unfamiliar, magical place, so unlike her own. Used to being spoilt and entirely reliant on her parents she is forced to fend for herself and subsequently becomes independent and generously sweet natured. What I will say about this film is don’t let its success override your own opinion on whether you see it or not. Hype over films can be frustrating and it’s not always the case that they’re as good as one is led to believe. I think Spirited Away is as brilliant as all the critics say but that’s just a handful of opinions. Simply be openminded and enjoy a great piece of escapism. Less well known of the Studio Ghibli collection is the Isao Takahata directed Grave of the Fireflies, released in 1988. This haunting film bares little if any resemblance to Spirited Away and does not run with any fantastical or magical themes. Instead it focuses on the devastating effects of World War 2 on two orphaned children, fourteen year old Seita and his four year old sister, Setsuko in Kobe, Japan. I think the first three times of watching this, I cried and I mean cried. The subject matter is very sensitive and can be particularly painful to watch but at the same time, these do not come to the forefront of your mind until afterwards, when you’re contemplating just what happened and how horrific this war was for a lot more people than those from your own country. If you’re looking for something away from the mainstream then this is it, but ensure you have a box of tissues.
Some other stand-outs are the utterly delightful My Neighbour Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, the very funny The Cat Returns and a stunning epic, Howl’s Moving Castle. There are also reincarnations of some classics such as Ponyo (rethinking of The Little Mermaid) and The Secret World of Arriety (The Borrowers) as well; Spirited Away draws on many of Alice in Wonderland’s themes. Sorry to sound morbid but these films are truly ones to watch before you die. Samuel Sims. Tweet
3
Previous post DVD review: Trishna
Like
3
Next post Review: Eames: The Architect and the Painter
© 2012 Candid Publications Ltd. Company Registration Number: 8025351 Registered In England And Wales
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
