Select one set of questions from one movie (Spirited Away or Pan's Labyrinth) and respond in complete, detailed sentences in the "comments" section. Everyone should also complete the final question (#5).
Spirited Away
1. How does Chihiro's journey into the alternate world represent the journey from childhood to adulthood?
What perils does the movie suggest exist when movie into adulthood?
2. How does the movie explore the awareness of the blurred lines between good and evil that become apparent in adulthood?
3. How is this movie also a reflection of changing culture and changing values? How is the movie about greed and the world of work?
4. How does Miyazaki also offer commentary about environmental issues?
Pan's Labyrinth
1. How does Ofelia's journey into the fantasy world of the faun mirror Chihiro's journey? How are they both about the difficulty of leaving behind childhood for adulthood?
2. How does this movie also explore the blurred lines between good and evil, fantasy and reality? Much like Spirited Away, consider how some of the creatures in the film inhabit both good and evil roles for Ofelia. Is the Faun good, evil or both? What does he represent?
3. How is this movie also a reflection on the loss of innocence from war? What commentary does the film making about the toll that war and violence take upon innocence and fantasy?
4. In addition to the journey motif, what other similarities do you see between this film and Spirited Away? Consider both films use of a little girl as the main protagonist. Also consider similar scenes (the banquet/eating scene) and the idea of "crossing into a new world." How are these scenes similar?
Everyone Answers:
5. Which movie did you prefer? Which allegory did you feel was more powerful? Why?
Spirited Away
1. How does Chihiro's journey into the alternate world represent the journey from childhood to adulthood?
What perils does the movie suggest exist when movie into adulthood?
2. How does the movie explore the awareness of the blurred lines between good and evil that become apparent in adulthood?
3. How is this movie also a reflection of changing culture and changing values? How is the movie about greed and the world of work?
4. How does Miyazaki also offer commentary about environmental issues?
Pan's Labyrinth
1. How does Ofelia's journey into the fantasy world of the faun mirror Chihiro's journey? How are they both about the difficulty of leaving behind childhood for adulthood?
2. How does this movie also explore the blurred lines between good and evil, fantasy and reality? Much like Spirited Away, consider how some of the creatures in the film inhabit both good and evil roles for Ofelia. Is the Faun good, evil or both? What does he represent?
3. How is this movie also a reflection on the loss of innocence from war? What commentary does the film making about the toll that war and violence take upon innocence and fantasy?
4. In addition to the journey motif, what other similarities do you see between this film and Spirited Away? Consider both films use of a little girl as the main protagonist. Also consider similar scenes (the banquet/eating scene) and the idea of "crossing into a new world." How are these scenes similar?
Everyone Answers:
5. Which movie did you prefer? Which allegory did you feel was more powerful? Why?