Spirited Away is a 2001 Japanese film directed by Hayao Miyazaki and animated by Studio Ghibli. It is about a ten year old girl named Chihiro who discovers what seems like a deserted amusement park and opens the door to an unexpected adventure. After her parents pig out on the food and literally turn into pigs, she becomes trapped and hopeless. Then she meets Haku, a mysterious boy who explains that this place is not for humans, but is a resort for supernatural creatures who need a break from the earthly realm. He tells her she must work for the woman in charge of the place in order to rescue her parents and leave. Chihiro manages to get a job at the bathhouse and begins work, makes friends (some unusual) and faces many challenges, problems and obstacles.
I love this film because it shows many aspects of real society, such as humans' greed (for valuables and money but at times food as well) and the judgement of 'different' people, through a rather creepy character named No-Face. No-Face is a sad, lonely being who just wants a real friend but is only loved for his/her money and not who he/she really is. I also love the relationships between Chihiro and all the creatures she meets (mainly Haku and No-Face) and how her unique, strange experience turns her from a complaisant ten year old who relies so much on her parents, to a brighter, more independent and mature girl. Lastly, I found it quite ironic how Chihiro's parents turned into pigs because in Japan it is usually the parents who tell their children sayings such as, 'if you act like something too much, you will become one' (in this case, pigs). It was like a real-life metaphor because that saying actually came true. My grandma too, used to tell my dad the famous saying, 'If you lie down straight after eating, you'll turn into a cow'.
I think this film is suitable for both children and adults, because it has characters that appeal to younger audiences, yet isn't childish despite being animated. It conveys a good message, Japanese culture, combines modern world with mythical world, stirs your emotions, is imaginative, creative and one of the most popular animated films.
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