Sirin and I attended the first session of the Japanese Culture and Film course on Monday, with a showing of the beautiful “Princess Mononoke” from the ever wonderful Studio Ghibli. It wasn’t our first viewing of this anime, but it certainly hasn’t lost any of its charm. Director Hayao Miyazaki (probably most famous for “Spirited Away” in the West) remains, for me, one of the all time great directors ‘despite’ (cautiously used) working the field of animation.
Coincidentally I’m reading a collection of his essays (“Starting Point: 1979-1996″) for BiteSizedJapan which charts many of his inspirations, influences, and thoughts on the animation process. It’s quite fascinating stuff, and certainly inspires me!