MY IDEA OF HERO: MIYAZAKI

BY : MADDALENA ZENATTI

Hayao Miyazaki

INTRODUCTION HERE

INTRODUCTION HERE

MY IDEA OF HERO

Hayao Miyazaki (宮崎 駿 or 宮﨑 駿, )

• is a Japanese animator, filmmaker, and manga artist.

• A co-founder of Studio Ghibli, he has attained international acclaim as a masterful storyteller and creator of japanese animated feature films, and is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished filmmakers in the history of animation.

• Although without supernatural powers and not being a superhero like we usually read or see in movies, for me he's a hero and an idol.

• He also has a high sensitivity towards women.

• The figure of women in his films is not associated with pure aesthetic factors and contemporary stereotype.

• The protagonists of his films are often strong girls or young women, and several of his films present morally ambiguous antagonists with redeeming qualities.

• And he himself said:

“Many of my movies have strong female leads- brave, self-sufficient girls that don't think twice about fighting for what they believe with all their heart. They'll need a friend, or a supporter, but never a savior. Any woman is just as capable of being a hero as any man.”― Hayao Miyazaki

• With his creativity and art, he manages to insert important topics in his films

• A child's experience of the world: toddlers and young children have a certain kind of imagination, curiosity and fears. –> My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, Ponyo, The Boy & The Heron

• The balance between industrialism and environmentalism: innovation is beautiful if it's not for blind greed –> Princess Mononoke, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Pom Poko, Spirited Away, Castle in the sky

• Pacifism and anti - war parables: war only begets more war. –> Howl's Moving Castle, The Wind Rises, Porco Rosso, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Grave of fireflies

THE IMPORTANT THEMES :

• Experiences with chronic illness: Miyazaki made sure to humanize illness. –> Princess Mononoke, The Wind Rises, My Neighbour Totoro, The secret World of Arrietty

• The cycle of violence: Studio Ghibli teaches what to do with violence. –> Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Princess Mononoke, Porco Rosso, When Marnie was there, Spirited Away, Howl's moving castle

• Coming - of - Age: Ghibli characters begin to step into adulthood. –> Kiki's delivery service, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Whisper of the heart, The cat returns, The secret World of Arrietty

THE IMPORTANT THEMES :

• Nature and Religion: the values are deeply rooted in Shinto and Buddhism.

• The importance of nature and it's impact on human being

• The interaction with kami (gods or spirits)