Revisiting the “American Dream”: Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Despite its controversial topic, length and the initial flop at the box-office, the movie Once Upon a Time in America has turned throughout the decades since its release in 1984 into a cult-product, highlighting the tensions as well as the promises of the New World as a symbol of dynamic constellations of power, love, […]
Toxic Me: Recognizing and Overcoming Toxicity in Oneself
Toxic behavior can have a profound impact on our relationships, work environments, and overall well-being. Recognizing, understanding and addressing one’s own toxic behaviors is essential for personal growth and healthy interactions. This essay, based on my own experience of trial-and-error as well as unwavering commitment to sustainable healing, explores the ways in which I […]
Studio Ghibli’s Whisper of the Heart (1995)
A Masterpiece of Adolescent Self-Discovery and Artistic Aspiration Released in 1995, Whisper of the Heart 『耳をすませば』 is a quintessential example of Studio Ghibli’s prowess in creating heartfelt and thought-provoking animated movies. Based on the eponymous manga by Hiiragi Aoi 柊 あおい (born 1962), directed by Kondô Yoshifumi 近藤 喜文 (1950-1998) and written by Miyazaki […]
The Prince of Sun: Horus’ Great Adventure (1968)
Takahata Isao’s Artistic Manifesto The Prince of Sun: Horus’ Great Adventure (『太陽の王子 ホルスの大冒険』 Taiyô no Ôji: Horusu no Daibôken, 1968) emerged at a moment when Japan was trying to re-write its postwar history and to re-locate itself within the world community. This animation film has turned ever since into a classic masterpiece of animated […]
The Truman Show (1998): A Philosophical Exploration of Love, Consumerism, and Identity
The Truman Show (1998), directed by Peter Weir and featuring a music by Philip Glass, remains in the history of cinema as a movie which intricately investigates the human condition through its protagonist, Truman Burbank, memorably played by Jim Carrey in one of his most fascinating roles, while displaying a rich tableau of complex […]
“You Are Imagining Things!”: Understanding Gaslighting
Gaslighting is a insidiously manipulative tactic in which a person or group attempts to sow doubt in another person’s mind, involves persistent denial, misdirection, contradiction, and lying, ultimately causing the victim to doubt their own reality and to question their memory, perception, sanity, with the goal of gain power and control over the victim, […]
Miyazaki Gorô’s From Up On Poppy Hill (2011): The Power of Imagined Nostalgia
Introduction From Up On Poppy Hill 『コクリコ坂から』 was released in 2011 as Miyazaki Gorô’s 宮崎吾朗 (born 1967) second animation movie after Tales from the Earthsea 『ゲド戦記』 (2006). It is based on the 1980s serialized eponymous Japanese comics in the category of shôjo manga (namely, comics targeted at female teenagers) illustrated by Takahashi Chizuru 高橋千鶴 […]
The Grave of the Fireflies (1988): Brutal Realities
「昭和20 年9 月 21 日、夜、僕は死んだ。」: “In the evening of 21. September 1945, I died.” In this manner, the animation film which marks off the climax of Takahata’s disenchantment process begins: The Grave of the Fireflies 『火垂るの墓』 Hotaru no Haka, released in 1988. Carefully avoiding any pro-war or anti-war stance, Takahata moves beyond the topos […]
Encanto (2021): Exploring Inter-Generational Trauma and Dysfunctional Families through Animation Movies
Introduction The 2021 Disney animated movie Encanto has garnered widespread acclaim for its vibrant storytelling, memorable music, and deep exploration of complex themes such as family dynamics, inter-generational trauma, and personal growth. Set in a magical Colombian village, the movie centers on the Madrigal family, each member endowed with unique gifts except for Mirabel, the […]
Am I a Gaslighter? Recognizing and Healing Manipulative Behaviors: A Self-Reflective Guide
I have never been a gaslighter myself, but I have known more gaslighters – and manipulators, for that matter – than regular people had known normal humans. (Conversely, I have encountered very few, if any at all, healthy individuals during the first two or two-and-a-half decades of my life.) This essay, the first among […]