...And, it’s nice to be back doing this stuff, probably just one article after N years; and what made me remember that I have a created a writing repo somewhere is that… *drum roll*…
a *Hayao Miyazaki* film finally made its way into Philippine theaters!
Credit: Studio Ghibli from the film "The Boy and the Heron" (https://www.ghibli.jp/works/kimitachi/)
I find this surreal, coming from a person who has been fond of many Studio Ghibli films, and with this supposed “final” Miyazaki film – wishing on that big glowing rock coming from outer space, that there will be another film release after this, as he is reportedly coming out of retirement again! – The Boy and the Heron, I believe, is among his cinematic gems.
It is visually impressive; and surprisingly, I feel that the movie, through the energy level of the animation here, was created at the height of Miyazaki’s prowess. I even have this impression that “The Wind Rises” is more like the “final” film than “The Boy and the Heron.”
The emotional moments, that a viewer may experience among Ghibli’s finest, may not be as evident here, but instead they are compensated with more thought-provoking scenes, with lots of figurative stuff that can even surpass those present in “Spirited Away.”
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| Credit: Studio Ghibli from the film "Spirited Away" (https://www.ghibli.jp/works/chihiro/) |
I believe this is Miyazaki’s most complex film, and the world it presents can feel convoluted. However, if you have been familiar with many of his films and with a glimpse of Miyazaki’s life, I believe “The Boy and the Heron” will have more profound impact on the viewer. It is his most philosophical and most personal film as well.
I consider “The Boy and the Heron” as one of my favorite Ghibli films, along the lines of “Howl’s Moving Castle” and “Spirited Away.”
Credit: Studio Ghibli - from the film "Howl's Moving Castle" (https://www.ghibli.jp/works/howl/)
I would like to remember that day, 2024.01.08 (PH Time), when a Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki film finally made its way into Philippine cinemas, and to commemorate that, I have started reading a book – although with unrelated story as the story in this movie is original – from which the title of its Japanese release was referenced: “How Do You Live?” by Genzaburo Yoshino. So far so good, as it is thought-provoking, and I hope to finish reading it as soon as possible.
Credit: Studio Ghibli - from the film "The Boy and the Heron" (https://www.ghibli.jp/works/kimitachi/)
At the end part of the movie, I found myself staying in the cinema under a contemplative mode, while listening to the song "Spinning Globe" during the end credits. One may feel some uneasiness with the film's conclusion, and I believe the song served to console the viewers as well (and the news that Hayao Miyazaki is working on his next film).
Spinning Globe by Kenshi Yonezu
And by the way, that Golden Globes win for the Animated film category is well deserved! (That was tough competition against Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse, which is another great animated film)
