Surprisingly enough, Perth City is no stranger to this animation film. It is believed that the director of the film had an inspiration for "Neko bus (means CAT bus)" when he visited here. In Perth, we have a free public transportation called "CAT (Central Area Transport) bus". So even from this fact, this is a must see film for me for a long time.
The film follows the two young daughters (10 year old Satsuki and 4 year old Mei) of a professor who have recently moved to a countryside. Satsuki and Mei discover that the nearby forest is inhabited by friendly forest spirits called TOTORO and befriend with them. Only children can see TOTORO.
I watched the film with my two year old daughter. The interesting thing is that, despite our big age difference, we both enjoyed watching it thoroughly. For my part, it reminds me of my childhood’s feelings, like how I felt about everything happening around me at that time. I remember how excited I was about a little adventure with my elder sister when I was a little boy. My little daughter probably sees herself in the movie and feels something too.
The scene where my daughter and I both like the most is when Satsuki and Mei join TOTORO at midnight in a ritual dance around the planted nuts and seeds, whereupon the seeds sprout and then grow into an enormous tree. Those planted nuts and seeds are given from TOTORO to the girls in return for Satsuki’s favor to have offered him an umbrella on a rainy night at a bus station.
Every time this scene comes, my daughter and I enjoy imitating the ritual dance to grow the tree while humming the film’s background music, and we do it again and again. I like this scene so much that I start thinking about planting some nuts in my little backyard hoping to grow them big.
I believe that in this film there is the underlying theme of living in good harmony with nature while having a feeling of awe. This is something we may have forgotten but important to remember.
While writing this blog, I thought it would be nice if my daughter will be able to see TOTORO someday here in Perth.
I watched the film with my two year old daughter. The interesting thing is that, despite our big age difference, we both enjoyed watching it thoroughly. For my part, it reminds me of my childhood’s feelings, like how I felt about everything happening around me at that time. I remember how excited I was about a little adventure with my elder sister when I was a little boy. My little daughter probably sees herself in the movie and feels something too.
The scene where my daughter and I both like the most is when Satsuki and Mei join TOTORO at midnight in a ritual dance around the planted nuts and seeds, whereupon the seeds sprout and then grow into an enormous tree. Those planted nuts and seeds are given from TOTORO to the girls in return for Satsuki’s favor to have offered him an umbrella on a rainy night at a bus station.
Every time this scene comes, my daughter and I enjoy imitating the ritual dance to grow the tree while humming the film’s background music, and we do it again and again. I like this scene so much that I start thinking about planting some nuts in my little backyard hoping to grow them big.
I believe that in this film there is the underlying theme of living in good harmony with nature while having a feeling of awe. This is something we may have forgotten but important to remember.
While writing this blog, I thought it would be nice if my daughter will be able to see TOTORO someday here in Perth.
4 comments:
I absolutely love 'Totoro'!
Hayao Miyazaki is popular here in the UK as well. The good thing is, his films can be enjoyed by both children and adults. And his attitude of respect towards mother nature and human beings is great. Am sure your little daughter will see 'Totoro' someday in Perth, as Totoro can be anywhere...:)
Thank you for sharing this Yasu. What fun to watch this with a little child.
Yes, we are aware of movies by Hayao Miyazaki here in Perth, and I will keep my eyes open for a chance sometime that this movie will come to Perth. I could then enjoy watching this with my grandsons.
Hi, Anima. Thank you for your sweet message!
I am glad to know that Hayao Miyazaki's films are popular even in the UK (Thus, in Europe?) Thanks for letting me know. I sometimes feel that these great animation films from Japan can be a medium for overseas Japanese to start a conversation in a foreign country.
Hi, Peta. I appreciate your comment.
The movie "My Neighbor TOTORO" is probably in a shelve of DVD rental shops near your house. I am sure that your grandsons and you both can enjoy this film, while eating takeaway SUSHI (to give you more atmosphere of Japan.)
Yasu
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