Let’s have a look at the new Ghibli movie that brought Hayao Miyazaki out of retirement.
The Boy and The Heron is the latest Studio Ghibli film that hit the theaters in Japan on July 14, 2023. So far, the studio has been rather economical promotion-wise, barely revealing any information ahead of the global release of the movie. Here’s what we already know about this highly anticipated work.
The Boy and The Heron is an original story inspired by the 1937 novel by Genzaburo Yoshino. While we do not know the exact plot of the movie, it is safe to assume that the basic premise follows the plot of the novel that has served as its inspiration. The story takes us to the past, to the times of World War II, where a young boy moves to the countryside after his mother is killed during the bombings in Tokyo. One day, he encounters a suspiciously talkative heron that leads him into an alternate universe where his mom is still alive. And so he embarks on a journey in search of his mother, encountering all kinds of mysterious creatures in this fantasy world.
In a recent interview, the producer of the movie, Toshio Suzuki, has revealed that The Boy and The Heron has the highest budget in the history of the Japanese movie industry. According to the creators, the movie took over seven years to make, with every single frame drawn manually in the best traditions of Studio Ghibli.
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The lack of promotional teasers and trailers typically released in anticipation of any new movie is a deliberate choice by the producers. Indeed, if anyone can afford a zero-promotion strategy, it’s one of the most renowned and celebrated animation studios in the world.
In its native country, the movie already sold over one million tickets in its first weekend, becoming the most successful work by the studio so far. Outside of Japan, The Boy and the Heron will be shown at the New York Film Festival this fall. The international wider theatrical release dates remain yet another mystery of this movie.
Those who were lucky enough to watch the movie early describe it as a visual feast with dark undertones that explores the themes of poverty, grief, and death. The Boy and The Heron is Miyazaki’s final work and our last chance to experience the brilliance of the acclaimed director’s breathtaking yet deeply moving artistry.
Source: livedoor