What are your thoughts on the metaphor of ageing and losing one’s voice?
Howl’s Moving Castle is a Japanese animated film that was released in 2004. It was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film tells the story about a young girl named Sophie, who is turned into an old woman by a witch’s curse.
Despite, the ageing curse depicted as a negative, I found the film to shed a positive light on the outcome of growing old. In the movie, Sophie is not as hesitant to share her opinions as she was when she was a child.
I love the way that this was presented. I think that this presentation can help women find the courage to speak up, despite their age. I am of the opinion that as a woman grows older, she should have even more the opportunities to be respected and heard.
I believe that the film showcases that age does not matter. For example, even as an old woman, Sophie is able to rescue two attractive men, which as a result come to love her and end the war in her country.
I applaud Miyasaki for introducing a different type of female heroine. Sophie is depicted as a powerful and heroic figure, even with her grandmother like qualities. The film reminded me of how amazing my grandmother is. Even at her age, my grandmother has the courage and strength to participate in the dangerous protest that is occurring in Venezuela. I think that the message that Miyazaki was trying to convey in this film is that despite your age, life is still worth living.
