Spirited Away 千と千尋の神隠し

First movie to analyze in Film Studies class - Spirited Away 千と千尋の神隠し ! 

One of the most popular and successful Japanese animation film, Spirited Away from Hayao Miyazaki has been long on my to-watch list but The Wind Rises was the first Hayao Miyazaki's film that I watched when he announced his last feature film and retirement. (But recently he is working on a new project so...)  

Spirited Away revolves around a primary school aged girl Chihiro who is moving to a new neighbourhood with her family. While on the way to the new neighbourhood, the wrong road direction leads them to a mysterious tunnel, The parents are curious to explore it but Chihiro doesn't willing to do so as she feels creepy about it but still follow them. While wandering around, Chihiro meets a boy namely Haku who warns her family to leave the place as soon as possible, or else they will get into trouble. When Chihiro rushes back to her parents, they become giant pig. In order to rescue her parents and return to the real world, Chihiro has to forget her real name to be named as Sen and work in the bathhouse where the spirits come to relax themselves which owns by an old witch Yubaba. 

This animation movie successfully evoked my tears, especially this part.

My tears actually came out as soon as Chihiro cries. She must be worry about her parents and pressure to face the obstacles. Haku who helped her at the first place, soothes her by patting on her shoulder. I feel her emotions totally. 

It was quite an enjoyable film with various lessons to learn. 

So, WHAT DO I LIKE ABOUT THIS FILM?

1. People shouldn't be greedy. People shouldn't get tempted by money. People should be contented with what they have. 

Nowadays the society is full of materialism. People are becoming more demanding. 

But Chihiro is the exception. 

Be like Chihiro, she is not materialistic. 

Even if No Face offers her extra herbal soap and gold, she rejects it because she doesn't need it. However, the other workers in bathhouse are very greedy. They even wake up at the midnight to cook nice foods to feed No Face because he is giving away the gold. They are blinded by the golds. 

2. Furthermore, everyone is responsible for environmental care. Tons of wastage like bicycle, pipe can be found inside the body of Stink Spirit (or River Spirit). That just shows how polluted the surroundings are. People are not mindful for what they did. They simply throw everything at anywhere. River is one of the place that get affected and polluted. 

3. Strong presence for feminism! Protagonist Chihiro, antagonist Yubaba, and the supporting Lin!

As the main character, Chihiro has the strength and does not give up easily. She tries very hard, insist to persuade Yubaba to offer her a job in the bathhouse. Even though she faced various obstacles, the strength in her made her stronger to not letting go of every chance to save her parents. She also fulfilled her responsibility as a worker in bathhouse by serving some troublesome customers (No Face, Stink Spirit). Unlike other workers, they please the customers because they could bring them fortune. 

The antagonist Yubaba, owner of the bathhouse. She has the power and wealth. She puts spell to control over everything. She even takes Chihiro's name and identity away, hence Chihiro has the new name Sen.

Lin, who always take good care of Sen (which is Chihiro) like a mum. She constantly assist her in all sorts of tasks in spiritual world. 

4. Always show appreciation to others. Be it the black soots that help Chihiro to keep her shoes. Be it Haku who save Chihiro and family in trouble and then Chihiro saves Haku when he's in hurt. Be it Chihiro who should say thank you to Kamaji who hides Chihiro's identity. Be it Lin who supports Chihiro in bathhouse's work. Be it Chihiro who is thankful for No Face in "stealing" soap tag for her. 

5. Live your life and be who you are. Name and identity are just something extra to live our lives. Who cares you are Chihiro or Sen? As long as you're still the same person, that's what matters.

WHAT I DON'T LIKE FROM THIS FILM?

Here comes the downside.

1. I don't really like how pig is being portrayed in the movie. Chihiro realized her parents transformed into giants pigs after eating countless food at the food stalls.

Isn't it a stereotypical view on pig? They eat a lot and lazy? (As Yubaba said human is lazy?)

It's negative, for both human and pig.

Chihiro's parents turns to giant pigs eating at a food stall.

2. Did Chihiro's parents behave appropriately? NO.

When the parents decided to explore the mysterious tunnel, they ask Chihiro to wait inside the car. Although Chihiro finds the tunnel creepy and refuse to go in, does that means it's ok to leave the kid alone? Things can happen in a blink of eyes. They just don't show much concerns to Chihiro's safety. 

In addition, Chihiro's dad who owns Audi car drives fast on the dangerous stoned roads in the jungle because he has four wheel car. He just wouldn't listen even if the wife asked to slow down. This is selfish without considering for others. 

Furthermore, they eat food without asking for permission. They think the food is nice and tender. They grab whatever they want, because they have credit card and cash. Bad example and role model for Chihiro. But luckily Chihiro has her sense not to follow her parents to behave that way. 

For this part, it's ok. This can educate the parents the DON'T to carry their role of being parents.

To sum up, this 2001 film still able to captivate my heart. Thumbs up for Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece!