Ponyo

Ponyo, the most Disney-fied of the films we've seen this semester, is clearly directed at a young audience. On first viewing their is little depth and the films message can be taken at face value-true love conquers all. Given the previous films we've viewed and a past knowledge of Miyazaki I now see this film in a new way. Miyazaki never just makes a film for entertainment sake. Before playing the movie, Alex mentioned that Miyazaki may have been influenced by Japan's current aging population crises. In Ponyo there is a clear difference bvetween the young and old shown. The preschool and Senior center are shown side by side seperated only by bushes. The elders are shown often interacting with Sousuke and the connection between the old and young is highlighted frequently. Because of the high death to birth ratio, Japan's population is decreasing rapidly. While watching Ponyo I couldn't help but make the connection to Sousuke and Ponyo's relationship to the relationship Japan has with foreigners. Japan currently has strict laws against granting foreigners citizenship and extended acceptance into its culture although changing this could greatly help their population numbers. Ponyo is from the sea, an outside world but wishes to be human and part of that world. Her father doesn't allows her freedom to travel so she must use her own powers to get to the human world. Sousuke sees Ponyo for who she really is and loves her in both human and fish form. Their two worlds find peace because of their relationship... Is this a plea from Miyazaki to Japan to open their borders? To be more accepting of other people and cultures in their own country? I really have no idea but I couldn't help noticing the connections...