All of Christ, for All of Life Hayao Miyazaki / Wade Stotts, Forrest Dickison, and Jake McAtee
Mar 20, 2025
Forrest Dickison, a passionate evangelist of Hayao Miyazaki's films, and Jake McAtee, who finds inspiration in that artistry, engage in a delightful discussion about the magic of Miyazaki's animations. They reflect on the emotional resonance of childhood nostalgia in films like 'My Neighbor Totoro' and explore the depth of character dynamics unique to Miyazaki's storytelling. The conversation also covers the significance of hand-drawn animation, revealing how it fosters a richer emotional experience compared to modern methods, while offering tips for newcomers to these iconic films.
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Childhood Moment That Hooked A Fan
- Forrest first saw My Neighbor Totoro on VHS at his grandmother's moldy Seattle basement and remembers the smells and vibes vividly.
- That childhood memory made Totoro feel uncanny and unforgettable rather than simply cozy.
Animation With A High Barrier To Exit
- Forrest says Miyazaki refuses to patronize children and uses animation as a low barrier to entry with a high barrier to exit.
- Films start accessible but demand maturity, aiming to change young viewers for the better.
Characters Feel Like Real Humans
- Miyazaki avoids ideological caricatures and makes characters act like inconsistent real humans who make believable choices.
- This human affection yields complex antagonists who rarely become purely evil or irredeemable.