Studio Ghibli Films

If you’ve never seen a Studio Ghibli film you are missing out on so much. These are anime films from Japan and if I’m not mistaken they’re all directed by Hayao Miyazaki, who co-founded Studio Ghibli.They’re all very well known and watching them is an entirely new experience all within themselves. All of these films are child friendly and adults love them too.

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

Satsuki and her younger sister Mei move into a house in the country with their father so that they can be closer to their mother who is being hospitalize. Nearby their new home, the two girls discover a forest filled with magical creatures. They soon befriend these Totoros, and have several magical adventures.

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

Kiki is a young witch who has left home on her year of mandatory independence. She finds a small town filled with loving people but realizes it is very hard for her to fit in, with being a witch and all. She picks up a few odd jobs but mostly runs her own delivery service, flying on her broom from one destination to another.

Princess Mononoke (1997)

Originally called Mononoke-hime, is about a girl who was raised by wolves and the impending doom on the forest that she lives in. The human villages are very industrial and they are moving towards the forest, putting it in danger. Mononoke must fight against the humans who are trying to take her home away. She doesn’t identify with people at all, believing herself to be one of the wolves.

Spirited Away (2001)

Ten year old Chihiro is moving with her parents to the suburbs and her father takes a wrong turn on the way there. The three wind up in a magical world filled with strange spirits. Chihiro’s parents eat like pigs at a small restaurant while Chihiro discovers a bathhouse. There she meets a boy named Haku who tells her not to cross the river before sunset but he’s too late, they already have and Chihiro’s parents have turned into actual pigs. The story follows Chihiros journey to turning her parents back to normal and finding her way home.

Food and Films

It’s November and the only thing I can think about is food and watching movies that have plots revolving around food didn’t really help much. I do not suggest watching any of these films on an empty stomach, you will be hungry.

 

 

Lo sono l’amore (I Am Love) 2009

Language(s): Italian and Russian

Rating: R

This is an Italian film directed by Luca Guadagnino and stars a well known actress Tilda Swinton who acted in Constantine and The Chronicles of Narnia. This film is much like a very elegant soap opera. The scenery and the cast and characters are beautifully portrayed. You get this storyline that starts kind of slow but its a very intimate movie. This movie simply has a shocking turn at every corner.

The film starts with a dinner party in Milan. Emma Recchi is from Russia and has married an Italian aristocrat. During the film one of Emma’s sons dies but before his death he had introduced her to a chef, Antonio. To not give much away, there are a few surprising events and she goes to San Remo where she happens to run in Antonio again. This time she is helplessly in love with him.

 

 

Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)

Language(s): Japanese

Rating: PG

This is actually an American documentary film directed by David Gelb but the film is in Japanese and its so good I decided to add it. The film follows Jiro Ono, an 85-year old sushi master. Many even consider him to be the world’s best sushi chef. He owns a restaurant in Tokyo where it has won a prestigious award called the three star Michelin review. This film was nominated at the Tribeca Film Festival and won Best Documentary from the Detroit Film Critics Society. The film primarily focuses on Jiro’s relationship with his eldest son Yoshikazu. Yoshikazu is the heir to Jiro’s franchise and has a lot to live up to.

 

 

Les Saveurs du Palais (Haute cuisine) 2012

Language(s): French

Rating: PG-13

This is a comedy/drama type film. It’s lighthearted and funny, one of those movies that has a certain charm about it that you cant quite put your finger on. The film is based on the true story of Daniele Delpeuch, a world renounced cook, who became the private chef of Francois Mitterrand, a French President.

The actual film follows Hortense Laborie, a well known cook who suddenly is requested by the President of the Republic to be his personal cook. She’s responsible for cooking all his meals and deals with her own habit of imposing herself and the jealousies of the kitchen staff. Her cooking wins over the president but not without her having to avoid and battle a few traps placed in her way.