SSC 08: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (Miyazaki, 1984)

Single Serving Cinema

Tim and Tay discuss their first animated feature and first Hayao Miyazaki feature on the podcast: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, which offers a compelling heroine for young and old viewers alike, embodying the idea that violence and war only lead to more of the same. The success of Nausicaä would allow Miyazaki to co-found Studio Ghibli and subsequently release some of the most beloved animated movies in cinematic history.

This animated feature tells the story of Nausicaä, a pacifist and princess who finds herself and her people caught in the middle of two warring nations that are intent on destroying each other and the hostile natural world.

Directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki, Nausicaä stars Sumi Shimamoto and Goro Naya; it premiered March 11, 1984, in Japan, and on DVD (with an English dub) on February 22, 2005.

Tagline — "Why do people destroy and hate? Why do they not show love and affection?"

Nausicaä is available to stream on Netflix.

Scene (31:15 — 35:10)

Tolmekian airships disrupt the peaceful Valley of the Wind. Nausicaä realizes that the airships are going after her father, who lies bedridden in a tower. She arrives, but her father has already been slain by the Tolmekian Royal Guard. In a burst of rage, Nausicaä attacks several Tolmekians, before Lord Yupa stops her.

Links

• 5:00 — Lupin III: The Castle Of Cagliostro
• 5:21 — Nausicaä goes from manga to movie
• 9:00 — The Warriors Of The Wind
• 10:30 — Toshio Suzuki says “no cuts” for Princess Mononoke
• 16:00 — Miayzaki’s tropes and the concept of “shojo”
• 19:00 — Writing strong roles for young girls
• 21:00 — Miyazaki on the ending of Nausicaä
• 25:00 — Miyazaki’s love of aircraft
• 26:55 — Inspiring Final Fantasy's chocobos
• 48:00 — INVINCIBLE
• 54:00 — Giant God Warrior Appears In Tokyo
• 55:00 — Manga as the outlet for darker ideas

Recommendations

Tim: The Hunt (Zobel, 2020). Available to stream on Crave.

Tay: La

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