Peculiar evening light

[vaneramos]

Another remarkable thing about My Neighbour Totoro is the peculiar quality of long-angled light, characteristic of a summer evening, that pervades the climax of the film when one of the girls gets lost. I've seen it in July and August in Southwestern Ontario. For some reason I believed it was unique to this part of the world, perhaps because evenings up North, at the cottage, though beautiful in a different way, never feel this sultry and honey-golden.

I've hardly ever travelled outside Ontariio in summer. When we arrived home from our trip to the East Coast last summer on such an evening, it felt like sweaty Ontario welcoming us home. I described it as "the long, soft arms of a familiar sun." It is a nostalgic light.

Obviously, it happens in Japan, too. I had never seen it portrayed effectively in film before. Miyazaki apparently likes it, too, and drew it out to dramatic effect.

I can give a concrete example from a set of photos I shot three summers ago at Poplar Bluff, the place where I grew up. Please forgive the awkward little thumbnails; I was new to photo blogging at that time. The first two shots here illustrate what I'm talking about. If you have seen Totoro, maybe you'll find a similarity.

July 30, 2003

Comments

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a great movie, I'd love to see it sometime.

be well

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

sorry a bit scattered here. I also meant to tell you that the images are lovely. I love that soft diffused light, pre twilight, or am?

love
munkey

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

That is early on a summer evening, my favourite time of day. Maybe I can borrow the movie again from Danny so we can watch it when you come up.

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

I'd like that
g night Van
love
munkey

Can Do!

[djjo.livejournal.com]

No problem with borrowing it for a while. I've got plenty of movies to catch up on right now anyway.

Re: Can Do!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Love. I hope you've had a relaxing weekend. We watched Spirited Away this evening. I didn't like it as well as the other two, but it's still pretty good.

[songdogmi.livejournal.com]

You're right, the light at the end of Totoro is special. I remember that from when I saw it a few weeks ago on TV. I'll have to look for it when I see it again, which should be soon since I have the DVD now.

Thanks for the link to the earlier post with your photos. It read kind of like a National Geographic article. I love the long summer sun in the evening. Your photos remind me of my teen years at my parents' house north of Mount Clemens, northwest of Lake St. Clair. I love the architecture of the church -- it's a little bit quirky. :)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Interesting. I figured that light might resonate with people from the Midwest as well. I haven't travelled much in Michigan, although we used to regularly go visit friends in Deerborn when I was little.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

That's not too surprising. Certain scenes from Howl's Moving Castle appeared straight out of Switzerland (at least how I imagine Switzerland to look).

Are you a fan? We just finished watching Spirited Away. I didn't like it as much as the other two, and the animation was less appealing, but still outstanding in some places.

[dakoopst.livejournal.com]

I've often thought about the possiblity of whisking you down to Atlanta during the summer months...

I can promise an interesting experience. :)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

The thought of going there has certainly crossed my mind.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, I've connected these ideas in my head, but due to financial constraints have (until now) stopped short of verbalizing my desire to visit Atlanta. Maybe pooled resources could make it happen. My primary purpose would be to spend time with Stephen, so I need to discuss it with him further. The other difficulty is that Marian wants to find work and/or summer school in Guelph, which would make it harder or impossible for me to get away.