Movie No. 45 (2013): FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
From Up On Poppy Hill (2011)
Director: Goro Miyazaki
In Japanese, with English subtitles
The year is 1963. Japan is picking up from the devastation of World War II and is doing a major face-lift in preparation for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Part of the plan is to demolish a Meiji-era club house in a seaside town in Yokohama which the high school students of Konan University use as headquarters for their different clubs and organizations. Most of the students oppose the demolition plan. As all these happen, two of these students (Umi and Shun) uncover something about their past that will challenge their friendship (or budding love affair).
Director: Goro Miyazaki
In Japanese, with English subtitles
The year is 1963. Japan is picking up from the devastation of World War II and is doing a major face-lift in preparation for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Part of the plan is to demolish a Meiji-era club house in a seaside town in Yokohama which the high school students of Konan University use as headquarters for their different clubs and organizations. Most of the students oppose the demolition plan. As all these happen, two of these students (Umi and Shun) uncover something about their past that will challenge their friendship (or budding love affair).
Just like any other Studio Ghibli films, the animation in this film is lively, vivid, and beautiful. This journey-to-the-past type of tale is endearing. The conflict between preserving the good things of the past and embracing the changes for the future is well "metaphorized" in the question of whether to demolish or preserve the club house, which also mirrors what Umi and Shun are going through.
Date seen: February 16, 2013
Rating: 3.5/4.0
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