Action and Pacifism in Castle in the Sky | The Director Project
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- čas přidán 26. 07. 2024
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Month two of The Director Project is on legendary master of animation Hayao Miyazaki. For my contribution, I take a look at the themes of pacifism and how they manifest in the action scenes of Castle in the Sky.
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Works Cited:
Hayao Miyazaki. "Castle in the Sky Director's Statement". 1985
Isao Takahata. "Producer's Statement: A Story Told with Affection for all Modern Day People". 1985
Michael Wilson. "Flying Pigs, Moving Castles, and A Plea for Peace: An Analysis of the Anti-War Ideology of the Films of Hayao Miyazaki". 2020. www.gnovisjournal.org/2020/05/...
Hayao Miyazaki. "A Nation that Merely Dithers Around" in "Starting Point: 1979-1996." 1996.
Yuan Pan. "Human-Nature Relationships in East Asian Animated Films." 2020.
BBC. "Pacifism". www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/war/again...
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Both Flanks by Small Colin
Escaping Like Indiana Jones by Komiku
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David Fincher
Spike Lee would probably be awesome
John Woo, Ang Lee, Chang Cheh
Frank Capra
Kevin Smith!
"No matter how many weapons you have, no matter how great your technology might be, the world cannot live without love."
isnt it you cant live without the earth? Thats what i saw and heard in the japanese original speec + subtitles.
@@miniweeddeerz1820 That's correct. Original is something like "we cannot live away from the earth (soil)"
@@miniweeddeerz1820 Yes in the original that's what it is.
@@konstantinriumin2657 it's more like land (soil)
This is the English version. It's different in every other dub of the film.
The most impressive for me about the usage of the destruction spell was that Sheeta and Pazu weren't using it to kill Musca directly. They were using it to destroy the weapons of Laputa. And they were using it in the knowledge that they would die themselves during this destruction, so they were essentially giving up their lives in order to save the world. It's poetic justice really that the giant tree saves them and their glider, but does not save Musca (who only views the presence of nature in Laputa as an obstacle).
We actually do see Mushka fall to his death. In one of the scenes of the disintegrating city, you can see his body falling with the rest of the rubble. It's a wide shot, but it's definitely him among the rest of the debris.
What about the two agents that were with Muska did it show there bodies falling
Yeah. I saw it too. Must take a lot effort to make that detailed scene.
I have a really vivid memory of watching this movie when I was like 5. It was in my uncle's shitty flat in Barcelona, and me and my cousins sat on the floor and watched it on his laptop. We'd giggle every time they said the name of the castle
They didn't change the name?
Whats the name of the castle?
The name was edited in the spanish and mexican version to something like lapuntu
The funny thing is the Swedish voice actor for Muska pronounces Laputa like "la puta" half of time which is kind of distracting lol
although the action scenes in miyazaki films are stellar, i really really really enjoyed the more 'boring' slow parts of his projects, as a quiet kid i really appreciated those moments, and it wasn't something i often saw in the random movies my family normally picked out at blockbuster 🤷🏾♀️
I feel like the fact that he is a pacifist informs the way he depicts it: because he wants us to feel the weight of every violent act in it's potential to cause harm. The heroes and villains alike are afraid to be hurt or killed, and way the violence is framed, it highlights the victims' wincing away from harm. Even in the spots where we may not see the victim, we see the effect on the perpetrator, and we can trace hints of the victim's pain, like a scream from off screen.
Mushka is such a creep!
This is really his most action-adventure story. It’s so fun. Great video! And that’s an excellent point about the robot not hurting anyone.
I hope Mr. Freeze is alright...
I just saw Castle in the Sky for the first time yesterday and fell in love with it. It is my current Ghibli favorite. Thanks for the excellent thematic analysis. Great work.
My favorite is Princess Mononoke and even though not Ghibli I do like Castle of Cagliostro.
Princess Mononoke is my favourite too. Fantastic movie.
@@EyebrowCinema It's my favourite as well also my all time favourite Studio Ghibli film.
Castle of Cagliostro is not by Ghibli Studios as you mentioned but Miyazaki did direct it! Hence the similar looking character designs (outside of the Lupin III mains lol)
I am pacifist because of my religous beliefs, so obviously I was interested in this vid, and you did not disappoint. I love how you draw the line between absolute pacifism and Miyizaki's beliefs. This was a great analysis! It adds a lot to the director project playlist!!
Castle in the Sky and Nausicäa (aus dem Tal der Winde) are my all time favorites. No contenders not even Spirited Away or Grave of the Fireflys. These two movies were the ones I remember the most and will think off. Watched them just some weeks ago on Netflix in German Dub. German Dubs btw are really good in all movies, some scenes felt weird rewatching them with 20 but some few bad or... Well they were just worse than the other scenes. Usually I am a Sub watcher for basically anything. But Ghibli movies are an exception I'm never going to break the dubs are just the way they should be. Thinking about it now it really makes sense why I dislike violence in a real life scenario so much. Just no
Fascinating. Your the second person to mention the German dubs being really good. The English ones, especially for Ghibli, are hit or miss. A handful are very well chosen, but others, like Castle in the Sky, are quite weak.
Amazing work, glad that the director project could expose me to your channel :)
I look forward to more good things from you
I always love those essays.They always show you things you didn't really notice in the movie
I have yet to see Castle in the Sky yet, but you sold it to me. I feel like it might be my next watch this weekend. Love all of the action being so dark in color palette but it lightens when the tension has lessened.
Thanks for the video! Not sure if this is my bag but I might pick it up and play with it for a bit.
Another great vid! And this one right up my alley - Ghibli narrative analysis is my bread and butter, and I think my best videos are the ones in which I'm able to extrapolate and talk about the author himself, just like you did :) super happy to see content like this.
My favourite part of Miyazaki's pacifism is how he carefully crafts narratives that will make the audience abhor violence. Yes, it's about the characters and the worldbuilding and the use of colour and music, but the whole is bigger than the sum of its parts. There's always a *click*, a moment in which you realise that none of that nonsense would happen if only people weren't so greedy. And, as you pointed out, in Laputa the villain very much embodies that.
As somebody trying to craft narratives as delicate as his', I'm ever-inspired. There's something there, particularly with this one director, that's a guiding start for me and hopefully to a whole tribe of creators :)
This is so great. I kinda slept on this film but your analysis definitely helped me appreciate it more.
Cheers man!
Pre-watch comment: Never watched any Miyazaki. "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" is just a title I knew existed. Mostly because of the cool name. Time to see what is up!
I believe there is a frame where you can see Mushca falling with all the ruble of Laputa. It's hillarious
Still my Favourite of all the Ghibli films, The sound track is just beautiful.
Thank you for this video! I've seen the English dub three times and I can't imagine how it can be better but next time, I'll use subtitles.
I want to add, Pazu wanted to assist Sheeta AND affirm his father's claims of the existence of Laputa because everyone called him a liar.
Sheeta throws a shovel at the pirates during the chase scene but it fits with your characterization.
I like Mark Hamill's performance :( also Jim Cummings autographed my dvd
Hamill is great in the dub.
I saw this recently and really really enjoyed it! I think it’s my second favorite after Spirited Away. What I think I like is probably the oh so slightly step away from completely “true neutral” villains that are in most other of their films. I’d say that if you want to convey a message you need to show a contrast, and I think this movie does that better!
I’ve made the mistake of watching Ghibli movies with the Disney Dubs and I’m never doing that again. Lmao
I will keep this in mind. Thanks!
The truth is that not all Ghibli dub versions are weak...Howl's Moving Castle, Porco Rosso, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, The Wind Rises have great dub...but always watch first with subtitle!
To echo @cravis123's comment, some are better than others. Castle in the Sky is one of the weaker ones, in large part because of the main characters who are portrayed as a lot older by Disney.
I am srsly glad that I am German because, in general, almost all Dubs are perfect.
Might need some touchups here or there, but most of the dubs are superb in German. Atleast in my opinion.
@@tramachi7027 Absolutely! It’s also interesting to compare the German and English dubs because German dubs tend to be far more accurate to the original Japanese dialogue. In English you’ll find that many phrases are either toned down or formulated completely differently, while inheriting a similar overall meaning.
Awesome! Thanks mate!
beautiful video
very well done!
Thank you, Ava!
Laputa castle in the sky omg it’s defo one of my favourite studio ghibli movies 🥲 instant nostalgia when I watch it. Like it’s a futuristic fairytale and that combination to me as a child was such an original concept 🥰🥺
Castle in the sky is my fav Miyazaki film
I've honestly always considered Myazaki's action-centric, plot-driven films (particularly Nausica and Mononoke) to be the weaker half of his filmography. I don't really know why, but they never really manage to grab me. I think it's because they all feel rather sporadic in their pacing and forced regarding the dynamics of the relationships of their characters, despite the characters themselves being pretty-well developed and multi-dimensional. (I'll specify also that I've only ever seen the original japanese versions of all the Ghibli films, never any of the dubs) Even the action when it gets going usually isn't as exciting as I feel it maybe it could be.
Myazaki is at his best when he's telling single-prespective stories that take their time to naturally show the emotional progressions of their leads and their reactions and adjusting to the worlds (his real interest as an animator) they inhabit. (Totoro, Kiki, Spirited Away, The Wind Rises) When he tries to tell a more objective, multi-story thread narrative, he seems to stumble.
I know I'm in the minority, but that's just how I feel. I'm glad you and many other people can find great enjoyment in those films, but I just can't seem to.
Fair enough, Martin. I'd disagree as Mononoke is my absolute favourite Miyazaki but I think I get what you're saying. I also love his less plot focused movies, and especially Spirited Away.
I disagree as well. I think Miyazaki is pretty amazing because he can make both calmer movies like Totoro and action packed movies like Mononoke (my favourite) and soul destroying movies like grave of fireflies. They are each so unique and interesting, it shows that, as a creator, Miyazaki has depth and diversity. Of course he might fair better in one genre than the other, but I'm glad that didn't stop him from experimenting and expanding his catalogue. I'm a sucker for his action packed movies tho, I find the calmer ones kinda boring and more suited for my nieces (no offence to any adult enjoying them).
@@Oceanlinx Grave of the fireflies is not Miyazaki. That's Takahata, whose work I honestly prefer to Miyazaki's
And hey, most people disagree with me, so that's fine that you don't really like Myaaki's more slice-of-life material.
i so agree
Brilliant film but also very beautiful as well, overall it's an brilliant Studio Ghibli film to watch before bedtime.
castle in the sky is an amazing movie its so nostalgic and just an amaxing heartwreching movie if you havent watched it what are you doing
"A daydream will easily turn to a nightmare if given the right mood."
And that is the dilemma of pacifism, defense is a too much of a broad term. You might have to kill thousands to save millions, or hurt someone who is hurting you indirectly. People are rarely violent because they are "evil". Yes, psychopaths who like hurting people exist, but they are rare.
This movie is so beautiful
Ghibli should be included in the school curriculum.
But can you tell me why tf did 7yo me have a crush on the robot
Not lying though some dudes probably died off-screen when the robot rampaged though the fortress
The German dubs are en par with the Japanese original and because of them I was able to watch these masterpieces already at a young age. 👍
Top tier movie
The quickest way for people to gain my respect is to reference Batman: The Animated Series
Don't listen to him, this is a visual movie, watch the dub!
casltel in the sky was one of the 1st movies i ever wached (:
Oh wow that's really cool! Did it make you an early Miyazaki or anime fan?
"a morally objectionable act is justifiable on the grounds that it produces a positive outcome"
I've got a lot of issues with this take-away.
for one, the destruction of Laputa, though unfortunate, is not 'morally objectionable'. if the decision to destroy Laputa is morally objectionable, then surely all those failed assassination plots on hitler were also "morally objectionable."
second, lets parse the diction of your statement a bit. if an act is justifiable, in the sense that it is just, then it simply isn't morally objectionable. if instead what is meant here is that "a morally objectionable act -is justifiable- *can be deemed prudent* on the grounds that it produces a positive outcome"
though, I admit this point is mostly just me playing semantics and railing against the misuse of the concept of what is just, in literal terms, in modern parlance.
finally, and most importantly, "a morally objectionable act is justifiable on the grounds that it produces a positive outcome" essentially translates to, "the ends can justify the means" without any loss of context. hopefully I shouldn't need to explain the issue here.
I will add, however, that the issue is deepened by the complete absence of any limiting principle. not to mention the absence of any parameters for what defines a "positive outcome"
No matter how many views you get no matte how great your like ratio is the world can not exist with out love... and your youtube channel
I hate watching in sub! Dub is useful while I'm working.
I think the German version is even better than the original.
The original Japanese is okay. The Disney dub is a crime against cinema, along with its long time insistence on dubtitles. Also, while Hisaishi is a master, the rescoring was a total misstep and inferior to the original soundtrack.
Mr Miyazaki and his fam are complicated.
laputa❌
la pota✅
For crying out loud- the movie is called Laputa: Castle in the Sky. Call it by its proper name, not the reactionary shortened version that Disney gutlessly changed it to.
That's cumbersome.
You might as well demand people alwas spell out "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace"
@@Superphilipp OK. "Laputa" then. Easy.
Not in Spanish!!! JAJAJAJAJAAAAAAAJAJAJAJAJAJAAAAAAAA (lol in Spanish)
The german dubs for Ghibli movies are generally quite good