I’ve been fortunate enough to catch a whole wad of Miyazaki films recently (for those who don’t know, he is the creator/director of Spirited Away and many more amazing films). There is a showcase on at the local independent cinema screening a number of his works. Ill start off by saying that the man is amazing, I don’t think I have been disappointed by any of his films. Regardless of their content they always have something that resonates with me personally. Genius is a word thrown around a lot and I’d probably agree with its use. I think his stuff goes beyond just anime and stands firmly as some of the best cinema I have ever seen. But this isn’t a wipe down on something that been covered by so many already, it’s a little different.

The films have got me to thinking recently about a number of issues. For me, film is probably the most influential form of art I enjoy. When well crafted and executed, a film can take you on an amazing journey and spit you out the other end emotionally, philosophically and ethically changed. Or can it?

Films expose us to issues beyond what our reclusive lifestyle would permit. It is one medium that can give you a view on topics you’d never thought twice about; it broadens our horizons to matters of life we have neglected. Things like family, nature, culture, what it is to be human.

Have you ever had a film slap you in the face about the way you live your life? Propelled you to take action on a social issue? Changed your life? I’d like to wish they have for me, but the truth is the feeling is so temporary.

Miyazaki’s films are full of hope and optimism, they are so idealistic. You wish you had the spirit of so many of his characters. Anyone not wish they were the girl from Kiki’s who lives in a log cabin in the forest and paints all day? Or that you had the philosophical perspective of Ashitaka from Mononoke? Or the inner child of the father in Totoro? I watched the audience leave the cinemas with a smile from ear to ear, some had tears, you could feel a warmth resonating from within them; it was touching. I sometimes wish I had seen Amelie in the cinemas for the same reason.

All you feel like doing is to bring joy to other people’s lives. To be the most selfless and kind person in town. Just to make life beautiful for one person every day. The spiritual reward of this kind of stuff at the time feels bigger than anything you’d ever though of before. Bigger than money. Bigger than popularity. Bigger than status. It feels like what we are meant to do as human beings. It just makes sense.

That’s it ! I’m changing my life from now on !

But inevitably this reform never happens. You realize that on the way home, all you can think about is the d*ckhead tailgating you, while on the radio you hear that priests are being put away for possession of child pornography. You still get angry that people are hogging the computer and everyone’s minuscule annoying habits are louder than the positive things they do for you everyday.

Do we do these things because it’s what’s easy? Maybe this is what is in our nature since it comes to us so readily. I’d like to think the opposite. But then why is it so hard to CHANGE your life? I would watch these feel good movies everyday if they forced me to be a greater person.

You hear those stories about people who have revolutionized their lives after an event or experience; it’s what’s described as a moment of clarity. But what does it take? Undoubtedly there are more times when events don’t change lives than they do. Or am I kidding myself that these things happen instantly and that it’s like a spiritual lottery? We really must be able to reach change through persistence and action. Remind ourselves of what is important to us everyday.

Irony n. : Tomorrow will be exactly the same.