Discussion Topic:
(1)What are the special attributes of Miyazaki's animation movies that have helped to appeal to global audiences and attract people in all ages and all walks of society?
(2) Please choose an animation movie produced by Miyazaki and then point out the reasons why (1)Taiwanese people and (2) people around the world love to see this film so much.
Some remarks by Vinia to help you organize your thoughts~
Ponyo (2009)
Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
Spirited Away (2002)
Princess MononokePorco Rosso
Kiki's Delivery Service
The Valley of the Wind
My Neighbor Totoro
II. Who is/are your favorite character(s) in Miyazaki's animation movies produced by Ghibli Studio?
Nausicaa's courage in "The Valley of the Wind." I think the Little Wtich Ki-ki is my role model as a career woman. However, to search for happiness as someone who is true to him/herself, I think Sophia from "Howl's Moving Castle" wins my heart. As to the best male character, I prefer Howl, who is learning, transforming, and growing matured in the story, as what has happened to the little girl in "Spirited Away." In short, I like them all!
III. Which animation film is your favorite production by Miyazaki and Studio Glibli?
"My Neighbor Totoro" remains one of the most popular films suitalbe for viewers of all ages in the family. The loving and caring relationship between people and natural creatures re-asserts a sense of security in human life that many people have found lacking in their childhood and even in their entire adult life.
Many people in my generation and yours grew up watching this film during family reunions, especially on Lunar Chinese New Year in Taiwan.
The surprising encounters with magical and powerful creatures, such as Totoro and the Cat Bus, who willingly offer their timely assistance to those who believe in them, have become a dream that many children and adults would hang on to in the time of crisis.
"Spirited Away" is the first foreign movie production to win the Oscar Best Animation Film Award. In addition to the dazzling visual images and touching music, this film has a flawless story that appeals to and conforms to people's expectation of a heroic quest: the departure for adventure, the inner growth in conquering challenges, and a return to where the story has started. I think Miyazaki and his colleagues did a great job in following this traditional theme in western literature, which has been well known in western civilization since the Greek epic "The Oddysey. "
"Howl's Moving Castlte" is an adaptation from an English children/teenagers' novel by Diana Wynne Jones (1986), but Miyazaki and his colleagues did largely modify the characters and the plot so that the movie version was really a creative re-invention of Jones' story. Personally, I enjoy this film better than "Spirited Away" because the characterization of the heroine Sophie embodies a problem for all people living in a cultural context with high traditional restraints: the quest for one's self-identity and the courage to be true to one's heart. The same transformation also happens to Howl, the young irresponsible wizard who initially did not have the courage to face himself or the maturity of being an adult. The maturing process presented in these two characters is really intriguing. By so doing, I think Miyazaki and his colleagues point out the key to true happiness. We have to be careful not to miss it!
