‘The Boy and the Heron’ and Top Five Miyazaki Movies. Plus: An ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ Deep Dive.
Dec 13, 2023
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Andy Greenwald and Charles Holmes join the hosts to discuss Hayao Miyazaki's films and their personal experiences with his work. They explore the challenges of introducing certain movies to young children and share their top five Miyazaki movies. The hosts delve into a movie that won the Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival and discuss its intricate plot revolving around truth and different perspectives. They also analyze the personality traits of a character in a film and delve into the disorienting opening and unsettling conversation in another movie. The chapter focuses on the investigation surrounding Sandra's husband's murder and the complex relationship between a mother and her son in a film. Overall, they provide entertaining insights into various films and themes.
Miyazaki's films are visually stunning and explore themes like personal growth and the complexity of human relationships.
Totoro captures the essence of childhood, emphasizing imagination, hope, and resilience.
Spirited Away is a thought-provoking film about self-discovery, identity, and the transformative power of love.
Ponyo highlights the importance of friendship, environmentalism, and the interconnectedness of all living things.
Kiki's Delivery Service celebrates independence, responsibility, and finding one's place in the world.
Anatomy of a Fall explores the complexities of marriage, subjectivity, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction.
Deep dives
The Beauty of Miyazaki's Films
Miyazaki's films, including Totoro, Spirited Away, and Ponyo, are visually stunning and emotionally resonant experiences that captivate both children and adults. They have a nostalgic and timeless quality, exploring themes of personal growth, imagination, and the complexity of human relationships. The films often celebrate the wonder of childhood, while also addressing deeper issues like loss, environmentalism, and the challenges of growing up. Miyazaki's storytelling style doesn't always adhere to traditional plot structures, but instead creates rich and immersive worlds that invite viewers to reflect on life's complexities and embrace their own sense of wonder.
Totoro: A Haunting Tale of Childhood and Imagination
Totoro is a masterpiece that captures the sweet and haunting essence of childhood. The film beautifully portrays the bond between two sisters and their enchanting encounters with the magical forest spirit, Totoro. The story explores themes of imagination, hope, and the power of belief. It delicately addresses the emotional impact of life's challenges, highlighting the resilience and wonder that children possess. Totoro's iconic presence and the film's timeless message have made it a beloved classic, resonating with audiences of all ages.
Spirited Away: A Transformative Journey into the Imagination
Spirited Away is a visually stunning and thought-provoking film that takes viewers on a magical journey of self-discovery. The story follows a young girl named Chihiro who becomes trapped in a spirit world and must find her way back home. Through her encounters with a myriad of enchanting and mysterious characters, Chihiro learns valuable lessons about courage, friendship, and embracing one's true self. Spirited Away masterfully blends fantastical elements and stunning visuals with deeper themes of identity, loss, and the transformative power of love.
Ponyo: A Delightful Tale of Friendship and Environmentalism
Ponyo is a heartwarming and visually captivating film that tells the story of a young boy named Sosuke who befriends a goldfish named Ponyo. As Ponyo defies the laws of nature in her quest to become human, the film explores themes of friendship, environmentalism, and the interconnectedness of all living things. With its vibrant animation and endearing characters, Ponyo enchants viewers of all ages, reminding us of the wonder, joy, and responsibility we hold in preserving the natural world.
Kiki's Delivery Service: Embracing Independence and Responsibility
Kiki's Delivery Service is a charming and uplifting film that follows the journey of a young witch named Kiki as she begins her year of independence. Set in a world where witches are accepted and even expected to contribute to society, Kiki navigates the challenges of forging her own path, starting her own delivery service, and discovering her unique talents. The film beautifully explores themes of independence, responsibility, and finding one's place in the world. Kiki's journey serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of self-belief and the importance of embracing one's own strengths and passions.
Intro and Overview
Anatomy of a Fall is a thought-provoking French film that revolves around a woman named Sandra who is accused of murdering her husband, Samuel. The film delves into the complexities of their marriage, the truth behind the events leading up to Samuel's death, and the blurred lines between subjective perspectives and objective facts.
The Mysterious Death
The film begins with the discovery of Samuel's body, which leads to Sandra's indictment and confinement to house arrest. As the investigation unfolds, various testimonies and evidence are presented, questioning whether Sandra is guilty or innocent of the crime. The film explores the dynamics of their turbulent relationship and highlights the significance of subjectivity and individual interpretations of truth.
The Courtroom Drama
The majority of the film takes place in a French courtroom, where Sandra stands trial for the murder of her husband. The courtroom scenes become intense as the prosecution and defense attempt to prove or disprove Sandra's culpability. The film raises questions about the fairness of the legal system and the impact of personal emotions and perspectives on the pursuit of justice.
The Complexities of Marriage and Artistic Pursuits
Anatomy of a Fall also delves into the complexities of marriage and artistic endeavors. The film explores the power dynamics, resentments, and infidelity within Sandra and Samuel's relationship. It also delves into the blurred lines between reality and fiction, as both characters draw inspiration from their own lives for their creative works. The film raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of art, subjectivity, and the ways in which personal experiences shape our interpretations of truth.
The Subjective Truth in the Courtroom
The podcast episode discusses how the courtroom in the movie focuses on insinuations and subjective truths rather than hard evidence. The use of fiction to explore the guilt or innocence of the accused is highlighted, demonstrating the unconventional approach taken in the French legal system. While such methods may not be admissible in US courts, they play a pivotal role in creating doubt and benefiting the accused in this case.
The Power of Emotional Testimony
The podcast delves into the power of emotional testimonies in the courtroom. It analyzes the impact of Daniel, the son of the accused, who conducts an experiment on the family dog to support his mother's defense. Daniel's testimony, intertwining the dog's actions with his interpretation of conversations with his late father, offers a compelling narrative that sways the jury and leads to Sandra's acquittal. The podcast recognizes the emotional appeal and the role it plays in shaping the outcome of the trial.
Sean is joined by Andy Greenwald and Charles Holmes to revel in the top film at the box office, Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, ‘The Boy and the Heron’ (1:00). They talk about Miyazaki’s whole career, including their top five Studio Ghibli movies (41:00). Then, Amanda rejoins the pod for a detailed discussion of the 2023 Palme d’Or winner, Justine Triet’s French courtroom drama ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ (1:12:00).
