SSC 49: Spirited Away (Miyazaki, 2001)

Tim & Tay talk about one of the most iconic animated movies of all time, Spirited Away. They discuss this timeless film's attention to the child's perspective, its careful development of her developing sense of agency, and director/writer Hayao Miyazaki's singular approach to his animation. 

Synopsis
Spirited Away tells the story of 10-year-old Chihiro, who enters the spirit world after her parents are transformed into pigs. Chihiro takes a job at the spirits’ bathhouse in order to save her parents and find a way home. 

Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and starring Rumi Hiiragi, Spirited Away was released July 20, 2021.

Where to watch Spirited Away.

Scene: 52:00-1:06:35

On Chihiro’s first day of work, she is tasked with washing the bathhouse's stinkiest guest, who turns out to be much more than meets the eye (or nose, for that matter).

Links

• "No cuts"
• How Spirited Away Changed Animation Forever
• Miyazaki and the concept of "ma"
• Ghibli Fest

Recommendations

• Tim: Only Yesterday (Takahata, 1991)—where to watch
• Tay:  The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya (Takahata, 2013)—where to watch

Next episode: Se7en (Fincher, 1995)—where to watch

Follow:

• SSC on Instagram
• Tim on Letterboxd