The seventh feature film of the ‘anime genius’ Hayao Miyazaki As he had decided, it would be the last of his career: an epic fantasy as brutal as it is beautiful, about the complex balance between human interests and nature’s needs. But, certainly to his own surprise, ‘Princess Mononoke’ It was recognized as a masterpiece of animated cinema – and therefore cinema – and broke box office records in its country; and it’s not just the Japanese director’s last movie, it’s also opened the door to the West. ‘Spirited Away’ (2001), and ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ (2004) and all the others he has done since. Today, 25 years later The premiere – to be re-released in Spain this Friday to commemorate that anniversary – continues to justify the impact, both the perfect combination of spirituality, violence, humor and romance, and the dazzling collection of images that make it up.
It is also clear to what extent it was an artistic detour for its author, although it exhibits the underlying features of its distinctiveness. Studio GhibliThe production company Miyazaki founded with his colleague Isao Takahata in 1985: Japanese history, fusion of magic and folklore, complex female characters, cute or scary creatures and a strong environmental message. Although the films ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988) and ‘Nicky, the Witch’s Apprentice’ (1989) which laid the foundations of his fame were friendly and optimistic films, the master began to feel uncomfortable with the arrival of the 90s. in a world he perceives as empty and self-destructive. As a result, we say; ‘Princess Mononoke’ is a dark and furious gamewatered with blood and adorned with severed heads and limbs.
stars ashitakaA medieval prince trying to put an end to the devastating conflict between man, who bets on the exploitation of land resources, and the beasts and ghosts of the forests fighting for survival, and those who stand in his way. He meets a boar god transformed into a demon covered with worms, a ruler driven by industrial ambitions, a powerful spirit that resembles a deer by day and transforms into a translucent giant at night, and of course, a respectable young woman.a human warrior raised by wolves who call himself a Saint.
To explain Miyazaki’s handling of these and other conspiracy elements—ambitious mercenaries, weapon-making lepers, invading samurai, benevolent fairies, warlike prostitutes—he uses not only the tenets of Japan’s indigenous religion, Shintoism, and its long history, but also its long history. is also appropriate to take into account. Alongside the environmental catastrophes the country has suffered, the director’s relentless concern Avoid Manichaean distinctions between good and evil -in the world where the movie takes place, so-called villains protect the oppressed, and so-called heroes fall into fundamentalist fanaticism- and this the ability to speak to both children and adults at the same timethat permeates his entire filmography, but that no other of his fiction is portrayed as clearly as ‘Princess Mononoke’.
like fine wines
In this quarter of a century, the shadow of the movie has only gotten longer. It first appeared that he was referenced in a series episode, for example, because of the influence he exerted on pop culture. ‘Simpson‘He was an admitted inspiration for the creators of the TV series ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars‘ and served as a model for the best-selling video game ‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’; second, above all, that concerns about climate change and the negative impacts of human actions on the planet have increased exponentially during this period, and that the only possible solution as Ashitaka and San – not only in the human environment, but also in politics and social and cultural development – is understanding, communication and through cooperation. In other words, the pessimism Miyazaki felt when he directed ‘Princess Mononoke’ did not prevent him from instilling his faith in ‘Mystery’ in the film. human resilience and capacity to overcome; As someone once said, “Life is suffering and hardship, the world and man are cursed, but still there are reasons to keep living“.