I have a large stack of DVDs on loan to me for the next while, and last night I vegged out to watch Hiyao Miyazaki’s “My Neighbour Totoro”. I’ve been wanting to see this film for awhile because a friend of mine is such a fan. It’s a very sweet movie, filled with the unusual magical creatures, clever little girls, and beautiful scenery that is typical of Miyazaki’s films. If it could ever be possible, I would like to ride around the Japanese countryside in the cat bus just to sit in one of its warm and furry interior seats. I’d also love to live in an old wooden house just like the one featured in the film, with sliding doors, wooden bath tubs, and tatami mats on the floor.
(I hear Japan calling…)
I love that movie! Think of the nonstop, smartass chatter of most hollywood animated movies (including pixar) and then think of the beautiful, magical and most importantly wordless scene of the girls with totoro at the bus stop. I’ve been thinking about silence recently and I think Miyazaki understands it.
One other thing worth mentioning is the giant, amazing camphor tree! It’s almost one of the stars of the show I think.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the movie (not that I doubted you would…)! As many times as I have seen it, it never stops charming me.
When I was walking around rural Kyoto with my friend Hiroko, the Japanese countryside seemed so familiar because of Miyazaki’s movies. As we walked past a small stream, and into the trees, I recalled scenes from both Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away where he briefly focuses on nature. He captured it all so perfectly.
Oh gosh…Miyazaki…I don’t even know where to start. Castle in the Sky? Spirited Away? Oh! Oh! Kiki’s. Oh, and Porco Rosso!
It’s very simple: they’re all wonderful.
Oh yeah! Ghibli Museum. The site is all in Japanese. Just thrill to the photos. Here’s an English description of a trip there.