This is a delightful site dedicated to the work of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki, director of the Oscar-winning Spirited Away, one of the finest animated movies ever made.Sometimes when the weather is lousy or everything seems miserable, a reminder that life can be good, after all, is very welcome.
Several movies by Miyazaki definitely provide such a reminder; one of my favourites in this category is Kiki's Delivery Service, which is worth watching just for the artwork of the beautiful Scandinavian-style landscape and town, a miracle of loving creative genius - but there is a lot more to it than that. This is animation at its finest (no still images can convey how good it is), and one of my all-time favourite movies. (The version I have is in Japanese, with English subtitles, which I generally prefer.)
My Neighbour Totoro is an enchanting story about children encountering the spirit of the forest when they move to a country home. Miyazaki's portrayal of the beautiful countryside in wind, sun and rain is a joy to watch, and is an artistic achievement in its own right.
Another great favourite of mine is Whisper of the Heart. A coming-of-age story set in a modern city, Miyazaki leads his heroine on a journey that becomes more and more magical at it progresses - not, in this case, the magic of myths or legends, but a way of seeing the real world through the eyes of a young teenager that becomes a true voyage of enchantment.
[My movies page]
