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Makoto Shinkai’s latest anime film, Suzume, explores themes of loss and grief in the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake that devastated Japan’s Tohoku region. However, the film also offers a message of hope and resilience in the face of disaster. Shinkai spoke about his inspiration for the film, building Suzume’s world, and the universal message of hope and disaster.
Building Suzume’s World
Shinkai began developing the idea for Suzume after the Great East Tohoku earthquake of 2011. The event reshaped Japan as a country and society, causing Shinkai to view the world differently.
As he explained, “I started to think more about how as humans, we can co-exist in a world with disaster and how we can be displaced at any given moment in time, and how to find hope.”
Shinkai uses the opening scene of the film to introduce Suzume, a young girl searching for her mother.
She enters a fantastical realm called the Ever After, where she discovers a world of souls.
Shinkai explained that he wanted to use the scene to show a world that had been left to grow without human intervention, as if the tsunami had not caused destruction.
Themes of Loss and Hope
“Suzume” is a story about loss, trauma, and ultimately, hope. Shinkai used the character of Souta, a comical three-legged chair, to offset the heaviness of the film.
Souta becomes Suzume’s sidekick on her journey to save Japan from devastation.
The idea behind Souta’s missing leg was to symbolize Suzume’s loss.
However, Shinkai wanted to show that despite the loss they experience, they can still embark on an adventure and live a fulfilling life.
Shinkai balances the themes of loss and hope by depicting Suzume’s journey through the ruins of destruction and the beautiful sights of Japan, such as Mount Fuji.
He explained that he wanted to represent Japan’s current state, including its wounds and scars. Some of which are a result of natural disasters, while others are due to human behavior and population decline.
Universal Message of Disaster and Hope
Suzume is not just a story about the 2011 earthquake in Japan. Shinkai explained that the film’s message of disaster and hope is universal.
“The world is full of natural disasters, but I don’t think this is just about those events. The disasters we all face could be anything: illness, accidents, personal tragedy, global issues.”
Shinkai hopes that audiences will connect with the film’s message and find hope in difficult times.
Suzume is a film that explores themes of loss, trauma, and hope in the aftermath of disaster.
Shinkai uses Suzume’s journey to show that despite the wounds and scars left behind, it is still possible to find hope and resilience.
The film is set to hit American theaters this weekend, and audiences can expect a visually stunning and emotionally powerful story.
