Runtime: 175 minutes
This is an unusual event, so hang on while we explain it. This is NOT a potluck dinner. This is filmed version of the STAGE adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki's acclaimed anime film "Spirited Away." The animated film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Film in 2002. We are not seeing the 2002 film. We will be seeing a filmed version of the stage play.
Here is a trailer for the filmed/stage play that we will be seeing:
https://www.majesticphx.com/movie/SPIRITED-AWAY-Live-on-Stage--Studio-Ghibli-Fest-2023
Tickets are free for members of the Neighborhood Potluck Group who RSVP for this event. Do not buy tickets. I already have your tickets. (And also: the screening is already completely sold out. I bought all remaining tickets.) But food is not free. I will not be buying food for guests. You do not need to purchase food. But you may want to, because Majestic Tempe 7 has a full restaurant menu. You can order from your seat while watching the film.
We will be watching the film with my daughter: Japanese-American anime fan Siam, who recently graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Japanese. Also present will be a Japanese-American family who moved to Tempe three months ago, after living in Tokyo for 17 years. They are members of the Neighborhood Potluck Group and have already attended many events and met many of you. Before and after the film, we will have ample opportunity to talk about Spirited Away. Feel free to ask them questions. They're very friendly. This won't be like a lecture or anything. If people are interested in doing so, we can gather after the movie for dessert and discussion. But it will be late, and that certainly won't be required.
The film starts at 7:00 p.m. This theater is VERY STRICT about people arriving on time and won't let guests in if they arrive late. Please plan to arrive at 6:30 p.m. so we can meet each other, have time to get our seats, look at the menu, enjoy the pre-show, etc. If you know anything about th Majestic, you know that people like to arrive early to enjoy the full experience.
This film (or filmed stage play) is rated PG. But with a runtime of 175 minutes (nearly 3 hours), this is probably not a good event for young children. Note that no talking is allowed during the film.
No outside food or drinks allowed. This is not a potluck dinner. Please don't bring any food.