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A Friday Film: Spirited Away (2001)

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Spirited Away, a studio ghibli film

dir. by Hayao Miyazaki


Spirited Away is gorgeousness, a beautiful composition of melody, rhythm, pace and color. The characters are thoughtful, reflective and dimensional. It's such an enchanting narrative.


It has won a plethora of awards, including of Academy For Best Animated Feature and the Japan Academy Prize for Picture of the Year.


Miyazaki depicts family life and transition, themes that carry through the entire story. 10-year-old Chihiro feels discouraged. She's frightened by loneliness. It follows her into the secluded, magical woodland with its cast of strange, unusual creatures; many of whom have been enslaved by crone priestess and propreitress Yubabu.


Spirited Away emphasises the way courage and sacrifice have the power to fend loneliness, and reposition one's perspective on themselves and their role in a variety of interwoven relationships. I love the complexity, and absurdness in this film, and highly recommend.


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