When the movie was over, Hayao Miyazaki, producer Toshio Suzuki, an interpreter, and a film critic came on stage for a Q+A session. (From what I heard, this was his first trip to the United States. He had just arrived from Toronto at 2:30 in the morning.) I've seen photos of Miyazaki, but never knew he had such a soft voice. And with his gentle disposition, it was almost like talking to a close family member rather than an animator.

Through his interaction with the critic, the following information became known: Spirited Away was originally intended for daughters of several friends of Miyazaki. According to him, the manga and anime these girls were exposed to tended to fabricate the ideal social lives of these girls, and he wanted a movie that reflected the reality within these girls' minds. In his mind, Miyazaki imagined the film at three hours, which would've delayed production for another year. But Suzuki convinced him to be more practical.

In addition, an interesting cultural note is that river gods were revered in Japan, but the actual rivers are threatened with pollution. In fact, Miyazaki got the idea of a polluted river god, when he fished out a bike after helping to clean a real river. Also, ironically enough, Princess Mononoke seemed to be better understood by the children of Japan than the adults. He felt it was too harsh for American children. (But later on, a young lady in her teens went up to the microphone, and tearfully thanked Miyazaki, because Spirited Away was the first film she'd seen, and she never had a film like that to enjoy during her childhood.)

When discussing social problems with an American high school art teacher who felt today's students were too absorbed with tests, Miyazaki griped that Japanese youth don't do anything but play computer games, while they obsess over school. He believes children are the mirrors of a society, that his generation is the one that raised the parents of today, and that parents have to change the way they live, in order to help their children.

Miyazaki also had a sense of humor when it came to his profession, joking about how the bath-house was similar to Ghibli, citing how animators have six arms like Kamaji; and he quipped that you have to be a masochist to be an animator. He said his hand always hurts, no matter how much he draws, and answered one person by saying you don't always get what you want, when he asked if he really was retiring. When it comes to animation, he believes that fantasy is an important element that helps one escape, but that surrendering yourself to that fantasy is a psychosis. Finally, while Miyazaki has not seen the dub of Spirited Away, he trusts John Lasseter to do a good job.

Eventually, I got up to the microphone to ask him a question about some projects. (Actually, I was the first person.) Nervously addressing him with the phrase, "Konichiwa, Miyazaki-san," I read out each word of my question per second, and inquired that-knowing he was an Akira Kurosawa fan-would he ever want to animate the upcoming Seven Samurai anime project from (Lupin creator) Monkey Punch, or at least another Lupin film, since I loved Castle of Cagliostro? He replied that he was opposed to any animation of Seven Samurai, and that he was ok with leaving Lupin up to everybody else. He also replied with, "Never," when asked if he'd do any sequels to his older films.

As for the Spirited Away production "art gallery", I felt a bit disappointed because was expecting more pre-production photos, and not post-production. Still, the TV clips of interviews with American staff members behind the dub of the film, and clips of Miyazaki's previous films did enhance the experience. So in general, I had a good time, and can recommend Spirited Away for the animation and its emotional impact. And the tickets are cheaper than the normal fare for Disney films at the El Capitan, so I highly recommend anyone who can be there between September 20, 2002-October 10, 2002 to check the movie out.

Haven't seen Spirited Away yet? The original, Japanese DVD version of Spirited Away (originally titled Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi) with English subtitles is available here from Akadot Retail.

Also, check out Akadot Retail's line of Spirited Away merchandise and books here available for order.