At this current time, we’re trying to wrap up our projects so we can relax on our wedding anniversary. As I cook and freeze our meals, I wanted to go ahead and share three animated movies I have watched this past week. They mean much more than what the title of this blog tries to entail, but they share one thing in common: showing off nature in all its beauty and wonder. These films might help you pass the time in your own kitchen and I won’t lie, your kids might greatly enjoy watching some of these. I’m a big lover of foreign movies, especially anime and animated French films. These are not your Pixar or Disney movies but those are good too!

Remember, if you are going to show these films to your kids, do your own research before exposing them to these films. None are too harsh in language or nature, but you are the parent and you know what is best for your kids.

Madangeul Naon Amtak // Leafie A Hen Into the Wild

This movie will make you laugh and cry all in the span of the first 30 minutes. Leafie is a factory farm, egg-laying hen that yearns to escape into the outside world and raise her own chicks. Don’t worry, she does eventually escape, but the hen must now face a terrifying world full of friendly fowl and prowling predators alike. This movie might make chicken lovers smile: Leafie hatches and raises a duckling all of her own. There are some scenes, especially fighting scenes between predator and prey, that might frighten sensitive viewers, so be aware of that before watching.

The film also goes by Daisy a Hen Into the Wild, if you can’t find the first title.

Kaze no Tani no Naushika // Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

Ah, Hayo Miyazaki films will always have a special place in my heart. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, humanity has been forced to flee from a terrible rot and pestilence spreading across the planet. In order to fight back, one clan takes it upon itself to destroy the rampaging insects of the toxic landscape. Our protagonist, Nausicaa, is a young princess trapped in the middle of this war between Man and Nature. She takes it upon herself to put a stop to the violence.

This film is beautiful. The landscapes are detailed, the pestilence is intimidating to witness, and the flight scenes take my breath away. Miyazaki had a blast drawing and animating all the rad planes and gliders. This film may not be the best for those who get the heeby-jeebies at the sight of big bugs. Also, there is a telling part in the film that would warm any permaculture-steader’s heart: good, clean soil and water make for good, strong, healthy plants.

Ōkami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki // Wolf Children Ame and Yuki

Another Japanese animated film, Wolf Children is my favorite film on this tiny list. It’s the film that inspired me to stop eating trash foods and learn to live off the land. Hana is the mother of half-wolf, half-human children whose mysterious nature must be kept secret from the outside world. Unable to keep her children safe in the city, Hana chooses to go off-grid (kinda) and move to a more rural part of Japan. There, her children grow up free to be and find themselves along with their mother.

This movie made me cry more than once. The film does a great job in contrasting the bustling, immediate gratification city lifestyle and a slower, more reserved countryside. Watching Hana read stacks of gardening books, fail miserably at tending her first garden, all while chasing after two wild children, makes the film so relatable. It is these very scenes that made me fall head over heels with a more sustainable lifestyle. However, there is a semi-adult scene at the beginning of this film depicting the courtship of Hana and her werewolf partner. It is sexually charged and might be a scene to skip for the kids.

I hope you peek at least one of these films. As always, be kind and tender to one another.

Check out the original post at The Toasted Rabbit.