Appeals to audiences of all ages and expectations

Author

By James Wicks

Publish Date

Jan. 6, 2016

Whale Rider

The main character of Niki Caro’s Whale Rider New Zealand, 2002, New Market Films), portrayed by Keisha Castle-Hughes, is an energetic, determined young person who is driven to become the next leader of her Maori tribe in New Zealand. Somehow, she manages to both pursue her goals and maintain a deep love and respect for those who attempt to stand in her way — a balance almost impossible to achieve. Available on special edition DVD.

Princess Mononoke (Japan, 1997, Studio Ghibli) appeals to audiences of all ages and expectations — even skeptics of anime are won over by its breathtaking artwork, depiction of the heroic journey, and strong female protagonists. In fact, this film convinced me to study film in graduate school — and I’m far from being the only one inspired by filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki to write about the ways this epic film breaks a typical Disney narrative model in order to explore human nature. Available on WatchAnimeMovie.com and Putlocker.