Castle in the Sky

This is the second time that I have seen Castle in the Sky. It felt pretty different seeing it this time than when I saw it last April. I feel like seeing all these Miyazaki movies in a row is honing in, for me, what Miyazaki is getting at and the modes of representation that he uses to express himself. In most of his films there is like a special person who has the power and the drive to complete their mission. Everyone is blinded by some sort of fear: greed, hate, etc. In this film Pazu strikes me as the special person. He doesn't even have the magical powers and he is the special person. What he wants is done.
For instance, he has a greater desire to go to Laputa than Sheeta does. He has no other motive (particularly no fear motive) than just to see it and see if his father was right (that it exists). It is also the case with Ashitaka, Nausicaa, Jehiro, Kiki, Lupin, and probably more that their main motives are never out of fear but to do what they believe is right or to realize their true potential as individuals or to save a wider group of people. All non-selfish reasons. I think that Miyazaki is asking us to identify with these individuals who represent the opposite of fear (love) and to see that in ourselves. Because so many of his movies take place on a larger scale of consideration for a wider group of people that the main characters, maybe Miyazaki is trying to say that we have the ability to help people. It only takes one person to have the determination and the relentless energy to get these big missions accomplished. That determination inspires more (i.e. Gandhi in real life). These people are leaders and unifiers. Pazu brings people together and ultimately has the final plan to save the world from Muska and Muska from his own fear.
I think Miyazaki feels that kind of leader ship in himself and is constantly projecting that into his characters. That is what I gathered most from the film.
On a quieter note, I also find it quite interesting the different cultures that Miyazaki draws from to create these new worlds. The Castle in the Sky characters seem really English, especially Muska with his blond hair and frilly collar-piece. Also, that Sheeta lived in the countryside tending a farm. And then to hear in class that it was modeled after a Wales mining town. It all makes sense. Even though it doesn't really do anything to the message of the story, it's still an interesting thing to note.

Post #2 (various topics)

Seeing Nausicaa a second time, I wasn't so focused on the story but more about how Miyazaki used his position as the director and writer to convey his message. I felt really aware that Nausicaa is first and foremost a manga and that there was a lot left out to make it a stand-alone film. I felt like there was not much character development for Nausicaa- there's the part where she kills the guards and says she's afraid of herself. Then that quickly fades away and she goes back to fearless martyrdom. Even after she dies and is resurrected, she doesn't make much of it. Also, I want to more about how the insects got so big and why the Giant Warriors came to power. Did humans dig them up and try and use them as weapons and then they turned and destroyed mostly everything? Why did they turn to stone? So many questions left unanswered. Anyway, moving on..

Reading about anime culture was pretty interesting. I think it is particularly interesting the way that Kelts writes about- that Japan doesn't know how to market anime or work with it in any profitable way and that there are so many young aspiring animators and creators that aren't getting any work. He makes it seem kind of pathetic, like Japan can't get its act together. But it really seems like a difficult issue. How do you engage people enough to invest themselves in what you've made? It's a good question.
Aside from that, I really liked how Napier talked about (in relation to the Apocalyptic) how stories that use societies that are undergoing apocalypse as a tool for criticism. Like- this is what could happen to us if our society keeps going in this particular direction. So people in the films are talking about what they or others have done to bring on the apocalypse. I feel like Miyazaki used that form well and pact in so much dialogue that feels both natural, informative, and provocative. Miyazaki seems to adequately engage with the audience through his use of subject tools (like the apocalyptic) and that partly why he is so highly regarded and sells well.

Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind

I had never seen this film before tonight. As I was watching it I couldn't help but draw parallels between Nausicaa and Princess Mononoke. Nausicaa seemed like a total mix between Ashitaka and San with San's natural and easy connection to all living things, but the hatred she has for humans tampering with the forest/jungle and Ashitaka's heroic nature and determination.
Both films are also based around the idea of humans wanting to destroy a forest/jungle (wooded area) for their own gain/fear of what is inside.
In terms of characters, Obaba was just like the Amishi wise woman. Both are old, cloaked women with supernatural omniscience into what is happening close and far away.
The Tolmekian Princess was a lot like Lady Amboshi in that they are both strong and guarded women who have both lost and arm. They both act as the leaders of the 'destroyers' and insensible humans.
The charging Ohmns are a lot like the boars in that they are the part of what is being destroyed that strikes back. They are both "blind with hatred" as they charge at the humans that are messing with their land.
The big fire warrior and the forest spirit are both large powers and people want that power for themselves.
The Ohmn charge was also a lot like the ooze that comes out of the forest spirit once its head has been shot off. The ooze subsides when the head is given back and the Ohmns stop when the baby is returned. Nausicaa and Ashitaka are both the personal deliverers.
Also, in the end both Ashitaka and Nausicaa are healed by the power that they returned and subdued.
So there's a lot in common. Besides that I thought the story was very powerful- I especially like how Nausicaa says, "Don't be afraid." And creatures just relax and warm up to her. The images were also quite beautiful with the density of the jungle and fossilized trees! Of course, this movie speaks a lot about what we, as humans now, are doing to our environment. We release so many toxins into the air that it is unhealthy. Parts of the planet may be dying because of our unsustainable consumption. So are humans meant to die out in favor of the rest of Earth's prosperity? According to Nausicaa, it seems that many humans will die out of insensibility. I really appreciate that Miyazaki is willing to go deep and actually talk about something that is happening (and in such a creative way), whereas most movies released in the cinemas are only for entertainment. That's all I have for now.
-Sean Conrad