So let’s imagine three separate settings. All three are uncommon and magical in a way.
First, a small forest with a few hundred old trees, cooped in the middle of an urban concrete jungle. In it a family living peacefully, feeding their over two dozen dogs and a dozen odd cats. For some entertainment, they throw a party every day for over fifty raptors that hover above the thick tree canopied roof of this forest and dive down into this forest for a good snack or two or three.
For the second setting, let’s imagine a rickety old castle that has legs and moves around the countryside, containing inside it a fire that is animated as if it is a living person, or a secret door that opens on the streets of different parts of the world.
And finally, let’s imagine finding a large friendly monster in your backyard which connects to a forest. The monster seems to travel on a red bus that could also be a cat. The bus is a cat or the cat is the bus, we are not entirely sure.
Apart from the first setting, the other two are from the films “Howl’s Moving Castle” and “My Neighbour Totoro”. Both films are animated classic from the world of Studio Ghibli and they are whimsical, funny, illogical but grounded in exploring a world that can or rather should do better. It took me down a rabbit hole of being very inspired by its creator Hayao Miyazaki.
For many years, while aware of the phenomenon of movies by Miyazaki, let’s just say I was just waiting for the right push to see these films.
Wait, what about the first setting? I will get to it towards the end. Stay with me.
An invitation for High Tea!
I was invited to my friend’s house for some tea or coffee. We jokingly called it “High Tea” at this house, because it was also going to be a bit of a meal. I wanted to take along something trivial yet meaningful for him.
He often talked about Studio Ghibli artwork and hence when I found myself at this popular bookstore called Blossoms, on Church street of Bengaluru, I picked out two postcards which had Studio Ghibli artwork on them.
At my friend’s place, we were joined by his family and when I presented him with the two postcards, his eyes lit up with delight, that is often seen in a child. His eighteen year old son also had a wide grin on his face on seeing them. The two then seriously discussed which movies were they were from and if this was Miyazaki’s work or others from Studio Ghibli.
Now my friend is a thoughtful person and if Hayao Miyazaki had a huge influence on him, it was not to be taken lightly. So there, I did finally get my push to step into the world of Ghibli.
Miyazaki, Netflix and Chill!
Back home after my travels in Bangalore, I finally pulled out some of the Studio Ghibli movies listed on Netflix.
The first one I watched was Howl’s Moving Castle. A cursed wizard lives in a moving castle and Sophie, a young woman, reaches out to Howl. The story of a young girl, becoming a 90 year old overnight and then not despairing but instead saying “Well, atleast my joints still work” to herself and taking herself on a journey.
The story is full of vivid scenes that explore feelings of love, affection, compassion, redemption and not giving up on people you care about.
Next one I watched was “Porco Rosso”, set in a pre-WW2 era in Italy. The story really is about another cursed hero, who has a pigs snout like nose, and his story of redemption. Some of the scenes and dialogues are hilarious. And example below.
Finally, My Neighbour Totoro, a film about two young girls living with their father in a new house. The house has a forest nearby and they are befriended by a friendly monster like spirit, called Totoro.
There are ofcourse lots more to still see.
These were not your normal Pixar or Disney movies. No good and evil explanations, no easy answers, no paternalising children (audience) but yet remain uplifting, enjoyable, full of laughter and inspiring.
These were obviously not any run of the mill animated films, there were obviously done by someone who thought very deeply about what they were putting out in the world. And that led me to discovering Hayao Miyazaki, the director of these movies and the co-founder of Studio Ghibli.
Discovering Miyazaki
To understand Miyazaki’s world I deep dived into YouTube. He is one of the few animators in the world today, who still uses hand drawing for animation, instead of software.
Do everything by hand, even when using the computer.
― Hayao Miyazaki
There is a lot of commentary on Miyazaki’s work and interpretations but I wanted to really listen to Miyazaki in his own words. Which is not very easy, as he mainly speaks Japanese and I have to rely on translations.
I came across Hayao Miyazaki: The Life Of A Hardworking Tyrant which tracks the work ethic, his cultural impact and his biography along with his unyielding sense of integrity towards his art.
One such story was when the now infamous Harvey Weinstein from Miramax, about to release Ghibli movies, wanted to make cuts for the American audiences. He received a present. It was a Katana sword along with a note that read “NO CUTS”.
Next, I found these gems on YouTube where cinema legend Akiro Kurosawa was visited and interviewed by Miyazaki.
I could not really find part 2 and 3. If someone has an idea of the full interview – let me know.
Finally, I watched 2399 Days with Hayao Miyazaki & Studio Ghibli – a documentary that tracks Miyazaki’s world view, his philosophy. We also see an artist, not afraid of being vulnerable.
There is a whole section on the passing of Isao Takahata, the co-founder of Studio Ghibli. Miyazaki calls him “Paku San”. The loss of his Paku San, left Miyazaki conflicted, vulnerable and restless. All caught by this documentary, which followed him for years. The pain and suffering of losing a lifelong collaborator and friend, was harnessed by him, and poured into his art. Possibly the best way to honour his friend.
Back to the first setting
I have not forgotten about the first setting I described at the beginning of my post.
My friend, the Ghibli fan from Bangalore, actually does lives in a miniature forest, in the middle of an urbanised city. The unlikely forest is filled with dozens of dogs and cats and some odd snakes.
As I finished our coffee and food, his wife walked away and got busy feeding fifty or so raptors that dived down from the rooftops of those large old trees.
I wonder, truly wonder – if my friend with his family might be living in one of Miyazaki’s wonderful worlds!
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