LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Thursday, March 21, 2013

*From Up On Poppy Hill* Next Film From Studio Ghibli

In the New York Times's Movie section: "Grounding a Romance in Memories," we learn this is an historical movie, not a fantasy film of spirits and magic. Instead, we see Yokohama of 1963.  This looks fascinating.  Google has lots of stills, and there's a trailer: WARNING! horrid advertisement lead-in, complete with Mad Menish theme music:





This looks at least as fascinating as Spirited Away.  Perhaps more so,at least for me, as it's an historical.  It's playing here in NYC at the IFC on Avenue of the Americas.
"Of course we had certain archival materials to refer to, but the truth is that when I grew up, some of those sights still remained,” he said. “I remember that when the sun was setting, how that hit the town and how beautiful it was. I remember how dark certain parts of the town were, or the fact that they didn’t have fluorescent lights, but the more orange, warm glow of the lights at the time. I remember the way people were kind, instead of robotic.”
And Mr. Miyazaki did take some lessons from his father to heart for scene like this.
 “What Hayao Miyazaki often taught me is to not draw from photographs,” he said. “Because all I would produce is mimicry. You have to draw from your mind.” 
However, one can wish that the people weren't so pink-white and round-eyed ... probably people who know Japan better than I do -- which is everyone -- can explain this.

No comments: