Nausicaa:

The color palette of the opening shot effectively establishes the bucolic state of Nausicaa's home, and suggests that her people are threatened by the invasive, natural forces at work. The use of a deceptive, grinning face on the armour of the soldiers is a clever, carnivalesque depiction of their ulterior motivation for personal gain. I had mixed feeling about Nausicaa's character . The scene in which she is overpowered by rage after her father's death was the most elaborate example of her character's duality, but little is done throughout the narrative to address this problem any further. Visually the sight of her berzerker rage was a refreshing image contradicting the passive female characters seen in Conan and Castle in the Sky. The volatility she displays is interesting for a character who finds freedom in flight. Volatile is of Latin origin and means "to fly." Her volatility and passion for life, albeit eruptive, helps her to excel as a pilot and a benevolent leader.

Porco Rosso

Thus far, this is my favorite film we've screened in class. The characters were engaging, especially Marco even though he is a self-centered swine, but a very charming and loveable one. Porco is a combination of Italian male stereotypes and the master less Japanese Ronin Warrior living by the bushido code. The overall representation of the misogynistic Italian culture was treated in an endearing way and Fio was a nice, refreshing addition to an otherwise male-dominated story. It's hard to admit, but I think the primary reason I prefer this film is because it resonated with my Italian heritage. The fact that some aspect of the culture- though cliché at best- were familar images in which i could identify helped to engage my attention. As described in Japanamerica, I'm one of the many Americans who fail to identify with the genre. The defamiliarization of the setting and characters makes it difficult for me to want to invest in the them because usually, as in the case of Lupin, I was unaware of the tv or manga series that would have given me a broader perspective of the narrative.

Also, I found some of his translations to be a bit strange. For example, the pirates are named the "Mama Aiutos." When translated that means "Mama, help!" Like Castle in the Sky, this is a reference to the mother-son relationship that is so highly regarded in Japanese culture, and how this contributes to the conformity of Japanese society.

Per usual, Miyazaki's images of flight are breathtaking, especially the scene in which Marco describes his vision of the fallen war pilots descending into heaven. The lack of music is ominous and it gives the audience a sense of Porco's purgatory. Of course, the film reminded me of aspects of Casablanca, but the images of flight also reminded me of Howard Hawk's films. The framing and editing are dynamic and cinematic. Whether skimming the Adriatic or the clouds, there is a full feel of movement.

Castle in the Sky:

The treatment of the Japanese mother-son bond is hilarious in this film. The pirates unwavering loyalty to Dola is a reference to the mother-son bond, which is considered the most important relationship in Japanese culture and agruably as equally revered in the US. The pirates conform to her every whim suggesting a veiled critique of the conformity in Japanese society. He is not suggesting that conformity is purely negative, but reiterates the importance of conforming for the right reasons. The pirates align themselves with Sheeta and Pazu once it is beneficial for them, and everyone reaps those benefits as a result. Throughout the film, he heavily emphasizes the theme of balance: technology vs. nature. Laputa exemplifies the harmony possible when balance is achieved, but also portrays the irrational behavior humans will display in order to acquire a natural resource with the potential for power and prosperity. Only the children can value Laputa for its beauty and mystism, where as the adults view it as a haven of potentially profitable finite resources.

Miyazaki Quote

“When a man is shooting a handgun, it's just like he is shooting because that's his job, and he has no other choice. It's no good. When a girl is shooting a handgun, it's really something.”