"Ponyo" is a film by director Hayao Miyazaki. It is about a young boy named Sosuke who rescues a goldfish named Ponyo who later transforms into a little girl. Panyo's transformation upsets the delicate balance of nature and triggers a gigantic storm. Throughout the film, Panyo's father, a powerful sorcerer, tries to force her to return to her home in the sea, but Ponyo refuses. In the end, her mother, a beautiful sea goddess, restores nature's balance and makes Ponyo's dreams come true.
One of the messages students can take from the film is that we humans are polluting the ocean, and the damage that that can cause. In the film we see [font=Arial]how trash and waste has been collecting on the ocean floors. It was great to see Miyazaki convey how people have mistreated the ocean with their garbage and incorporating it to the storyline. [/font]
I will probably use this film at the end on the semester to review key literary terms/concepts taught such as setting, character development, conflict, climax, and tone. I might also have my students write a persuasive essay where they try to convince their peers to watch the film.
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edited by mhernandez on 1/18/2013
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