tarynresende

Kari-gurashi no Arietti (2010)

Explored the Magic of Cinema! A piece of Nostalgia!

The Secret World of Arrietty always holds a special place in my heart. Hayao Miyazaki's storytelling has such a powerful impact on viewers as he recreates our deepest childhood dreams onto film. His movies have such a lasting impact that sway you into the story and instantly make you fall in love.

I still remember when I was 11 years old, I saw this film premiered at El Captain theatre located right across the Chinese Kodak Theatre. It was an experience I still remember fully. As a little girl, I knew that walking into the theatre, I would step into this new world, and I remember imagining it like stepping into a dream.

After seeing this film, it is crazy how you still manage to remember some pieces of the story. Even though it is not the best of Miyazaki films, The Secret World of Arrietty is a fantastic film, and it is one of those films that will never age. The borrowers' story is an enduring classic that emphasizes family, love, sacrifice, friendship, and courage. Miyazaki uses this ongoing theme in all of his films, which is Human vs. Nature and how important it is to balance both to create world harmony. Its use of serene sounds and calm music keeps an ongoing theme of serenity and spirituality, bringing hope and life into its story. If you are interested in watching Miyazaki films, I recommend watching one of his classic's first to immediately make you fall in love and sense deeper appreciation.

The final scene is short, but sweet. We will never truly know if the family made it to their next home. Still, the director leaves this for our own interpretation and encourages our storytelling to the world, which is part of studio ghibli's central message. Even with a sudden and emotional ending, it still leaves the viewers wanting more and plays with our emotions. This connection with humans and borrowers can be reflected in our own world. Director Yonebayashi questions our relationships with other animals and nature itself. There are two types of people in the world. One's that need to always be the superior species and reassure their power on others. Secondly, they appreciate the little things and feel no superiority with others but as equals. Both Sho and Arrietty had struggles in their life. One was none the less superior than the other. They respected and believed in each other's future equally. Arrietty and Sho are alike as they both struggled with loneliness growing up and not being able to fit in with their kind due to a heart condition or the uncertainty that you are the only one left. In Sho's society, he feels similar to Arriety since he cannot play with the kids in his neighbourhood for his own safety and health. Stepping outside of the house is difficult for Arrietty and Sho, which explains why they have this deep emotional understanding and empathy for each other.

Watching this film again after 8 years makes me fall in love with its inner message of love and sacrifice. I am so honoured and privileged to experience a time in history to see this movie's premiere at El Caption Theatre. These once-in-a-lifetime experiences have fortunately allowed me to see the magic of cinema and Miyazaki.

The Magic of Cinema is ready to be explored, Taryn Resende