The one thing I really did want to see last night while watching the Oscars, I missed. I was most interested in the award for Best Animated Feature Film. Why? Because the Japanese Animated film Spirited Away was nominated for the award. Spirited Away is the latest anime film by my favorite anime director and storyteller, Hayao Miyazaki . Upon getting into work this morning I checked the Oscars' winner's list to find out that Spirited Away did indeed WIN! I am very excited by this news as it means the film will get another theatrical release and it is well worth seeing on the big screen (it would be the second time for Jenne and I). This award, the first Oscar for a Japanese Animated film and for Hayao Miyazaki, also means increased exposure for this 'Walt Disney' of Japan and his many films. It also means that more of his films will be released here in the states in theaters and on DVD!
I was pleasantly surprised that Spirited Away beat out "Bush Wars" and "King Bush". Maybe Japan is next for "for old time sake." Put back the meaning of V-J day.
Posted by: Dan on March 24, 2003 04:31 PMJust saw the movie tonight (29 March 2003).
Wow! Just... wow!
I consider myself fairly intelligent and well-read, but every now and then I'm reminded that there's an awful lot that I don't know. I got that feeling from "Spirited Away". I'm sure there are a lifetime's worth of references to Japanese folklore, religion, fairy tales, and nursery rhymes in that movie that were just -- tantalizingly -- out of my reach.
It was still an amazing movie to watch, but I wish I had the cultural background to appreciate all of the stuff I'm sure I missed....
(If you haven't seen the movie, go see it, and don't let what I've said scare you. Just know that if you find yourself wondering where a character or idea came from, it would probably be instantly recognizable to any Japanese child.)
("Wear this. It will protect you. It's made of the threads your friends wove.")
-Thomas
Posted by: Thomas G. Atkinson on March 30, 2003 03:16 AM