Film fans tend to listen toMartin Scorsesewhenever hegives his opinions on cinema, as he’s one of the greatest living filmmakers on the planet. Sometimes those opinions are relatable, like when Scorsese revealedthe reason why he doesn’t go to movie theaters anymore. Others, such as the infamous interview where he referred to Marvel movies as “theme park rides”, caused discourse that has lasted to this day. But Scorsese’s deep love of movies cannot be denied. He’s been fairly vocal about his favorite films, whether they’re classics likeAkira Kurosawa’sHigh and Lowor more modern films likeI Saw The TV Glow. One of Scorsese’s frequent collaborators,Leonardo DiCaprio, wouldactually introduce him to the work of another filmmaker who’s been deemed a legend in his own right —Hayao Miyazaki.
DiCaprio and Scorsese sat down foran interview with Letterboxdto discuss the films that influenced their work, following the release ofKillers of the Flower Moon. While most of the interview is dedicated to the films that Scorsese screened for DiCaprio before they started working on a project, DiCaprio revealed that he actually screenedSpirited Awayfor Scorsese. “I was asked what films I introduced to you, but considering you’ve seen every film ever made up until 1980, it’s pretty hard to say. Other than, maybeSpirited Away, Miyazaki’s films, and maybePrincess Mononoke,” DiCaprio said, to which Scorsese responded: “It wasSpirited Awayyou told me to watch.” While Scorsese didn’t give his full opinions onSpirited Away, DiCapriocouldn’t have picked a better film to introduce him to Miyazaki’s work.
‘Spirited Away’ Is Hayao Miyazaki at His Best
Spirited Awayfollows a 10-year-old girl named Chihiro (Daveigh Chase), who is moving to a new house with her parents. But when her father takes a shortcut,Chihiro and her parents are trapped in a world populated by spirits. They can’t leave, as the witch Yubaba (Suzanne Pleshette) has transformed Chihiro’s parents into pigs and literally stolen her name.Spirited Awayhas everything that defines Miyazaki’s films, including stunning animation, a truly unique coming-of-age story, and mystical elements that are a huge part of the story. When Chihiro enters a bathhouse,many of the tubs are filled with otherworldly creatures, including a group of ducks that seem to literally melt in the water. Other beings, including the shadowy No-Face and the mysterious Haku (Jason Marsden), who transforms into a dragon, have become some of the most iconic figures in Miyazaki’s work. It also continues Miyazaki’s layering of different themes into his work, as Chihiro’s parents transforming into pigs isa rebuke of Western-style consumerism.
For Miyazaki,Spirited Awaywas a labor of love. He developed the film based on the summers he spent with his family, and said that he wanted to make a film that would appeal to the ten-year-old girls who befriended his family. “I created a heroine who is an ordinary girl, someone with whom the audience can sympathize,“he said when discussing the inspirationsforSpirited Away.Spirited Awaywould even influence another filmmaker,as then-Pixar chiefJohn Lasseterconvinced Disney’s then-head honchoMichael Eisnerto work on the English dub of the film. The end results paid off, asSpirited Awayended upwinning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature; it remains the only hand-drawn animated feature that won the award.
Martin Scorsese Is Teaming Up With a Familiar Face for His ‘Gilead’ Adaptation
It will be their seventh collaboration.
Leonardo DiCaprio Named Another Hayao Miyazaki Film as One of His Favorites
It’s no surprise that Leonardo DiCaprio chose to introduceSpirited Awayto Martin Scorsese, asDiCaprio has long been a fan of anime. Not only was DiCaprio once attached to produce live-action versions ofAkiraandNinja Scroll,but he’s listed Miyazaki’sPrincess Mononokeasone of his favorite films of all time.Princess Mononokehas a strong environmental message within its story, matchingDiCaprio’s commitment to reducing climate change. As for Scorsese and Miyazaki, the two filmmakers almost did cross paths back in the day.Steve Alpert, the former head of Studio Ghibli’s international division, revealed in his memoirSharing a House with the Never-Ending Man: 15 Years at Studio GhiblithatMiyazaki turned down the opportunity to have drinks with Scorsese. Regardless, the fact that DiCaprio managed to get Scorsese to watch one of Miyazaki’s best films is nothing short of amazing.
Spirited Awayis available to stream on Max.
Spirited Away
