Spirited Away - Hayao Miyazaki 2001

Spirited away is one of the most magical, and beautifully crafted films I have watched. Spirited away is a typical Miyazaki films in the sense that it has all the elements that he likes to use within his own films such as; strong female characters. The little girl in the movie, Chihiro, also known as Sen, did not start out as a strong female character. She began as a scared little girl who did not want to do anything that was unfamiliar to her. As the film progresses, as an audience member, you can see the change from a little girl, to a strong young female. Most of the progression and the strength came out of the love for Haku, which really illustrated how caring, and loving Chihiro is to the people around her. Even though in the beginning she was afraid, she got through the fear, and did not stop fighting for what she wanted, (her parents who had turned into pigs). You can even see the strength of Chihiro, nearing the end of the film, when she walks towards the evil witch Yubaba, and she stands tall, and unafraid, because she believes in herself. And with everyone cheering for her, it also makes the viewer, feel like they are also cheering for her, and evokes that urge to also be strong because she is. There were two other main females that show strong character. Obviously one, and or two of them were the witch twins; Yubaba and Zeniba. They both are all powerful, and stop at nothing to get what they want. They have juxtaposing personalities, but they are both strong in different ways. Zeniba has compassion for others, and is loving, which makes her strong in the sense that she has much more to give to other people, and Yubaba controls everyone in the bath house, and that part of the land, which makes her strong in the sense of power instead of compassion. The last female character who was very strong, was Chihiros, or at this point, Sen's mentor and friend. She was tough during the entire film, and she never backed down, even when she was being treated like dirty from the frogs, she stood up for herself, which felt like a huge part of Chihiro/Sen's progression. Not only that but Miyazaki loves the connection of the land, the new and old Japan, Janapese mythology, spirituality and flight. Which all of these things had in the film. The landscapes were absolutely breathtaking in the way it was crafted, and the details were amazing. In terms of Japanese mythology and spirituality, they both intertwined especially when you see the particular type of 'Gods' that come in and out of the bath house. It is quite a spiritual thing, in itself to go to a bath house, because in a way it is kind of like meditation, and within who ever comes into the bath house; such as no face, Japanese mythology creeps up on you, within the viewing of the films. There was a lot of flying, especially the scenes where Haku is a dragon, and Chihiro is on his back, and they are riding through the sky, with the clouds in gorgeous detail, as the moon shines upon them, and the shadows appear. That is truly a magical scene. And the new and old Japan intermingle with the houses, and building you see in that section of the town, and from where Chihiro came from, and he does that to allow people to get the understanding of, without the old there is no new. Everything about this film draws me in; from the scenery, the characters, the relationship between the characters, the storyline, and the details to the animation itself. Miyazaki's style of work is beautifully done, because of the fact he starts with the drawing itself; to retain a personal feeling towards the character. Creates a inter-textual collage, bridges the two worlds of traditional Japanese anime with western. Makes sure the images are very well detailed, also has the backgrounds in a complex formation, so that the relation is later known, and pans the camera to suggest the movement of a chatterer. Miyazaki creates such amazing animated films, with in depth storylines, captures the heart of each character, and makes it seem so seamless within the direction of the film itself. Miyazaki is truly one of the best animated film makers in the world.

The 400 Blows - Truffaut 1959

The 400 Blows, is a film set in Paris in 1959, and is about a boy who has trouble at school, a mother who does not want him, and a father who is not really his father. This is a 'New Wave' french film, in the way it does not convey a Hollywood style narrative, where there is a beginning, middle and end. The film begins with a sight seeing tour of Paris, but not a particularly glamours one, that we see in the modern day films, or even from a tourist point of view. It is the side of Paris that not many people see, the side that puts you in the place of the children, and people who lived in Paris at the time of the 50's and 60's. It portrays the life of what people had, and the not so beautifully painted picture, that people have always had, when they think about Paris. The film illustrates the struggle of childhood, and how children need that sense of direction, and guidance, and support, otherwise they will turn the other way, and do things that affect their lives, and not to mention the lives of others. The child in the film, is lost, and does not have the support or trust, of his parents or his teachers. He feels as if no one will believe him, so he lies straight away, which makes his teacher think he plagiarized his essay. The child goes through so many experiences, and they all have to do with choice. The final freeze frame, feels as if it comes full circle, because he has come to the beach, somewhere he has always wanted to go, and that final realization that he has to go back, because there is nothing to take him away, and escape from what he is leaving. Reality sinks in and he realizes that life isn't that easy. He must go back, and face the consequences, otherwise he will become exactly what other people thought that he was, and would become. The film was interesting in the way it ended, because it didn't really explain anything to the audience of what he actually became, but it left the audience wondering, which was a better reaction that no reaction at all.

OSS117 - Lost in Rio

The film Lost in Rio, was a very interesting and, complex film, in terms of the overall themes.
It has so many different elements to it, that sometimes it is hard to really focus on one of them,
but for some reason it all works together. There are the elements of racism, it is obvious in the first scene, where the Chinese men come in, and agent OSS 117 make quite a remark, that leaves the audience unsure whether to laugh or not, because of how offensive it is. But what makes it funny, is that fact that agent OSS 117, does not know of his stupidity. This is the main feeling of the film, where the audience does not know what to do, in terms of reacting to what he has said, or even does within the film. What this does for the genre of the film, is make it a spy, cold war parody. Usually it spy and cold war films have a certain aspect to them, that makes them feel like they are pushing the boundaries of the truth to the world, this film does the complete opposite of what it is doing. It takes a 'James Bond' type character, and makes him into someone who, in fact, is not even good at the job of capturing the bad guy, and making him arrogant and racist. The film captures, a bit of the essence, of the war, and how Nazis, were the enemy and must not take over, because of the implications, of what has, and happened in that era. In terms of the Jewish rising up, I think that it was not said very much, throughout history, but it makes out them to be strong, and hopeful people, which, I do not doubt that they are. It was wonderful to see that strong Jewish influence, especially within such a strong woman. It is not seen very much from the 1960's, but women were rising, and men seemed to not see why they were. Now in this day in age, it is quite empowering, to see more women rise, even it is in a film. All in all the film was extremely entertaining, using quite big concepts from the world, and adds humor, even though in a way that makes the audience feel a little uncomfortable.