Articles and stories written by Satyam Ghimire

• movies

When some great artists approach the end of their life, they entertain the idea of a successor, though they know deep down that no one can truly take their place. In his latest film, The Boy and The Heron, Hayao Miyazaki has told a story of one such creator. Though on the surface the film is about a young boy Mahito overcoming grief of his mother's death, and like other Miyazaki's films, follows a journey through a fantasy land filled with colorful characters. But of course, this perspective has not much to do with the question which almost was the title of the movie, “how do you live”? Mahito’s great-grand uncle created a world parallel to ours, a world with its own small set of creatures and magic. This old man is looking, waiting, for someone to take over his work.

To wash it pure and bring once again the balance and harmony among the creatures upon whom he had sprinkled life. To continue his legacy, to build a better paradise. Of course Mahito rejects the old man’s offer. He says he has malice and greed and he would corrupt everything. He would rather choose the real world, with all its shortcomings, and be an ordinary man. The old man, as if he already expected this answer, isn't sad or angry at getting a “No!", even though he had high hopes for Mahito. Of course Miyazaki looked out for potential candidates, to pass his torch hand to hand, but no one was good enough for him. Perhaps his judgment was right, perhaps it wasn’t and he was too hard on others. ...continue reading...