Film News: Patrick McDonald, CFCA Present ‘Spirited Away’ at Gene Siskel Film Center on July 13, 2012

CHICAGO – The Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) and the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago are teaming up to present “Castles in the Sky,” a 15-film series of Japan’s Studio Ghibli, highlighting the exquisite work of Ghibli animator Hayao Miyazaki. As part of the series, Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com will introduce and lead a post-film discussion of Miyazaki’s classic, “Spirited Away,” July 13th at 6pm.

Main Character Chihiro (left), with companion No-Face in ‘Spirited Away’ Photo credit: Buena Vista Home Entertainment

“Spirited Away” was recognized as the Best Animated Film at the 75th Academy Awards ceremony in 2003, the second year of that category award. It had been released in Japan in 2001, and it supplanted “Titanic” to become the highest grossing Japanese film of all time. The “Alice in Wonderland” type film concerns a girl who loses her parents to a magical spell, then must navigate a strange new world and find the courage to break that spell. Full of allegory and mind-blowing animated beauty, this fairy tale transcends the mere “cartoon,” and cements Hayao Miyazaki’s reputation as Japan’s Walt Disney.

The Gene Siskel Film Center, in association with the Chicago Film Critic’s Association, is screening “Spirited Away” as part of the “Castles in the Sky” Studio Ghibli 15-film series. Members of the CFCA are introducing and leading post-film discussions for seven of the key films in the series, including Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com for “Spirited Away.” The film will screen at 6pm on Friday, July 13th.

By PATRICK McDONALD Senior Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com