The purpose of this essay is to analyze one of the four visual culture forms below in terms of the major ideas that frame the course. Not every idea is relevant to each film; it is your job to choose those that are and to explore the film in terms of those themes. Be specific in your essay about which characters and scenes illustrate which ideas. You are strongly encouraged to do supplementary research on the film, its context, director, etc.
Howl’s Moving Castle. Director: Hayao Miyazaki
This is an anime film that can be viewed and understood on many levels—for example as a fairy tale, a story about human relationships, and as a critique for Japanese and modern society. It you choose to work on this film you should read the short article by Takeshi Murakami (suggested additional reading online).