JD Amato, an expert on Studio Ghibli movies and their thematic implications, joins the hosts to discuss Hayao Miyazaki's personal history, creative process, animation styles of Ghibli films, and the thematic implications of 'The Boy and the Heron.' They also touch on Robert Pattinson's vocal performance, other animated films released this year, pitching projects, licensing Miyazaki films, Oscars potential for 'Spider-Verse,' making animated films, the legacy of Hayao Miyazaki's female characters, Disney vs. Jiminy, influencing award voters, complex emotions in the protagonist, 'Spawn' analysis, Shinto themes, movie review of 'Elemental,' frustrations with a streaming company's pitch document, new character 'Lady hee-me,' and the quest for perfection.
Miyazaki's films are deeply rooted in his personal history and conflicting emotions.
Miyazaki explores the interplay between beauty and conflict in his films.
The Wind Rises serves as a culmination of Miyazaki's exploration of personal history and artistic vision.
The podcast provides a thoughtful analysis of the film 'The Boy and the Heron' and its significance within Miyazaki's body of work.
The podcast explores grief and transition within the film, highlighting specific moments that convey these emotions.
The collaboration between different animators in creating 'The Boy and the Heron' adds depth and richness to the storytelling.
Deep dives
The Personal and Artistic Connection
Miyazaki's final film, The Wind Rises, delves into the personal and artistic connection of the renowned filmmaker. While Miyazaki himself claims that his films are not about his own experiences, the themes and elements that emerge in his work reveal a deep exploration of his childhood, upbringing, and conflicting emotions. Growing up in affluent circumstances, experiencing the war and bombings, and grappling with the family business's role in the war effort, these personal experiences shaped his perspective and find expression in his films. The Wind Rises serves as a culmination of his exploration, a farewell that beautifully intertwines his personal history with his artistic vision.
The Conflict of Beauty and Conflict
One of the central themes present in Miyazaki's films is the interplay between the pursuit of beauty and the conflicts it can create. This motif arises from Miyazaki's appreciation for the beauty in engineering, design, and existence itself, as well as his recognition of how external forces can hijack and corrupt that beauty. The Wind Rises continues this exploration by presenting the story of a plane designer driven by his passion for creating exquisite flying machines. The film highlights the tension between the allure of beauty and the complex real-world consequences it can have, mirroring the internal conflicts Miyazaki himself faced throughout his life.
The Legacy and Bid Farewell
As Miyazaki's final film, The Wind Rises carries with it a sense of legacy and bidding goodbye to a remarkable career. Miyazaki, known for his perfectionism and meticulous attention to detail, dedicated years to creating this film. Its production, as well as Miyazaki's personal history and philosophies, became intertwined within its narrative. The movie becomes an introspective rumination on a filmmaker's life, his aspirations, and the mark he leaves upon the world. It is a poignant exploration of themes that have permeated Miyazaki's entire body of work, encapsulating his artistic vision and providing a fitting farewell to an extraordinary career.
Summary of Podcast Episode: The Boy in the Heron
The podcast episode discusses the film 'The Boy in the Heron' directed by Miyazaki and explores key points and insights from the movie. The podcast mentions the opening scene of the movie, which depicts a firebombing in Japan during World War II. It also highlights the themes of grief and transition within the film, as well as the collaboration between different animators. The podcast further emphasizes the importance of passing down artistic legacies and the idea that final works are often transitional rather than definitive statements. Overall, the episode offers a thoughtful analysis of the film and its significance within Miyazaki's body of work.
The Opening Scene and Themes of Grief and Transition
The podcast episode starts by discussing the opening scene of 'The Boy in the Heron,' which portrays a firebombing during World War II. It then explores the themes of grief and transition within the film, particularly focusing on how the protagonist copes with the loss of his mother and the changes in his family dynamics. The podcast highlights specific moments in the film that convey these emotions, such as the protagonist lying in his new bed and the small, poignant details captured by Miyazaki. Overall, the podcast presents a deep analysis of the film's exploration of grief and transition in a wartime setting.
Collaboration and Passing Down Artistic Legacies
Another significant aspect discussed in the podcast episode is the collaboration between different animators in creating the film 'The Boy in the Heron.' The podcast emphasizes the involvement of various animators who have worked with Miyazaki over the years and how they bring their own styles and interpretations to the project. It also delves into the idea of passing down artistic legacies, with Miyazaki's decision to entrust certain animators and allow them to contribute their own perspectives to the film. This collaborative approach adds depth and richness to the storytelling, making the film a collective effort while maintaining Miyazaki's distinct vision.
The protagonist encounters various mystical creatures and navigates a complex internal and external journey.
Throughout the podcast episode, the main idea discussed is the protagonist's journey through a fantasy world filled with mystical creatures and challenges. The story delves into themes of self-discovery, trauma, and personal growth as the protagonist confronts the heron, interacts with the wara wara and pelicans, and meets various influential characters such as Kiriko and the mysterious Lady Hime. The journey is both external and internal, exploring the protagonist's relationships and emotions within a richly imaginative setting.
Conflict is not the central driver of the plot; rather, change and personal growth are emphasized.
Unlike traditional Western storytelling that often prioritizes conflict as the main driving force of the plot, this podcast episode highlights how change and personal growth play a central role. Rather than simply overcoming external obstacles, the protagonist's journey focuses on accepting and embracing internal conflicts and coming to terms with past trauma. The story demonstrates that resolution and transformation can be complex processes that do not always involve clear-cut victories or defeats.
The story explores themes of identity, family, and the inner turmoil of the protagonist.
Throughout the podcast, the exploration of identity and family dynamics emerges as important themes. The protagonist grapples with his sense of self and the loss of his mother, encountering metaphorical representations of family members like Kiriko and Hime. The complex relationships and symbolism in the narrative serve to emphasize the emotional struggles and internal turmoil of the protagonist, ultimately leading to personal growth and understanding.
The Subconscious Journey of the Boy
The podcast episode delves into the subconscious journey of a boy, exploring his pining for a mother figure and his fear of rejection. It suggests that part of his journey involves facing and overcoming these fears, ultimately leading to a moment of acceptance and closure.
The Complexity of Life's Work and Legacy
The podcast episode discusses the themes of life's work and legacy, emphasizing the idea that perfection and solving all problems is unrealistic. It explores the concept of passing down structures or ideas, and how it might be more meaningful to communicate the journey, the complexities, and the imperfections involved in navigating life.
It took seven years for Hayao Miyazaki and the artists at Studio Ghibli to make THE BOY AND THE HERON. What better way to honor that lengthy process than to invite JD Amato back for another clockbusting, context-loaded episode?! For a rather bit-free THREE-AND-A-HALF HOURS, we are diving into Miyazaki’s personal history, his creative process, the differing animation styles between the Ghibli greats, and the thematic implications of this beautiful new film. Because this is Blank Check, we’ve also got lots of thoughts on Robert Pattinson’s vocal performance, and a lot to say about some other, less-successful animated films released this year.
