I have a lot of feelings about this movie. A lot of conflicting feelings. On the one hand, as a disabled person I'll admit to having been disappointed (though not surprised) to have seen that the movie is largely from a collective abled perspective. That being said, when initially I worried, "Oh no, this is going to be a movie in which the disabled people are viewed as burdens, isn't it?" I was shocked to see that it didn't end up being the case...overall.

Some scenes did disturb me, but considering the decade the source material takes place, it's again not a surprise. The overarching message is about inclusivity of disabled people in society and the ability to create and sustain community for disabled people and it's handled the subject matter of intellectual disability in a very compassionate way that a lot of movie before and since that I've watched miss the mark on.

Despite some of the more jarring scenes, it's clear the audience isn't meant to pity the characters. It feels rather like the audience is supposed to understand that yes! Disabled people exist! There are some parts to being disabled that aren't pretty and that's okay! Because that's life! Include disabled people in society because we exist! Intellectually disabled people in particular--as the movie shows--need to be included in society, not shunned!

It was just a shocking, gorgeous emotional roller coaster that while it had me wincing and grimacing at ableism shown at points, I understand the reason it's shown; it's real. It's real and that's beautiful.

Japanese cinema is celebrated for its refined minimalist dramas and avant-garde experimentation; it also introduced popular genres like jidaigeki (samurai epics), kaiju, and anime. Across both high art and mass entertainment, it often explores morality, impermanence, and the pressures of modern life.

Hidetoshi Nishijima and Tôko Miura in Drive My Car (2021)

Anime is a style of Japanese animation that has gained significant popularity outside of Japan. It is often characterized by its use of flat design and limited animation, with characters characterized by large expressive eyes, exaggerated facial expressions, and defined lines. These stories are produced for audiences of all ages, with specific subgenres catering to different age groups.

Steve Blum and Koichi Yamadera in Cowboy Bebop (1998)

Hand-drawn animation, also known as traditional animation, is a technique in which each frame is created by hand. It involves the process of drawing individual images, known as frames or cels, by skilled animators and then photographing or filming them in sequence to create the illusion of motion.

Jodi Benson, Jason Marin, and Samuel E. Wright in The Little Mermaid (1989)

Animation is a form of visual storytelling that involves creating visual art and motion through the use of various techniques and technologies. In animation, images are manipulated to create the illusion of movement, bringing characters, objects, and environments to life. Animation can encompass a wide range of styles, themes, and intended audiences, making it a diverse and versatile form of storytelling.

Daveigh Chase, Rumi Hiiragi, and Mari Natsuki in Spirited Away (2001)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

Based on the manga series of the same name. A family drama centered around the lives of intellectually disabled people and their families, and the hardships they endure due to the lack of a proper place for disabled people in society.

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Donguri no ie

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