Jack's film selection for the April 24 2023 Media Group Zoom discussion is 2001's Japanese anime film Spirited Away by master artist Hayao Miyazaki.
Description:
Chihiro's family is moving to a new house, but when they stop on the way to explore an abandoned village, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. Put to work in a magical bathhouse for spirits and demons, Chihiro must use all her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world. Overflowing with imaginative creatures and thrilling storytelling, Spirited Away became a worldwide smash hit, and is one of the most critically-acclaimed films of all time.
This was the most successful and highest-grossing film in Japanese history for 19 years, won an Oscar, is considered Miyazaki's magnum opus, is listed among the greatest films of all time, including the 4th best film of the 21st century. (And if you want to see some great stuff in that BBC list I recommend Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Tree of Life, No Country for Old Men, Children of Men, Synecdoche, New York, Lost in Translation, Memento, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, Melancholia, 12 Years a Slave, Blue Is the Warmest Colour, Inception, Werckmeister Harmonies, Under the Skin, Inglourious Basterds, The Turin Horse, Amélie, Moonrise Kingdom, and Requiem for a Dream.)
Where to Watch:
- $3.99 at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/0QSV7NH1EROFI24DGOGNLASVCB/
- $3.99 at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkpMLAM0U7U
- Free on HBOMax if you are a subscriber.
- There is one BluRay and one DVD available for borrowing. As a special bonus, Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro (1988, Japan) is also available for borrowing and is recommended to borrow concurrently. If you do benefit from the physical copies please consider helping out and view promptly and if you are able to do so deliver or pick up your disc from the previous and/or next group member.
Where to chat:
Discussion 8pm on Zoom on April 24 (Monday) at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2272006912 (Meeting ID: 227 200 6912).