As thrilled I am to be able to see Arrietty on the big screen next month, I'm even more excited to see Goro Miyazaki's sophomore feature film, From Up on Poppy Hill. My favorite Studio Ghibli movies are the naturalist ones, Omohide Poro Poro and Mimi wo Sumaseba. Those are the classics that resonated with me above the others because I never before imagined that animation of this sort was even possible. They opened my eyes to the truly limitless possibilities of the art form, and when I look to the West for comparable works, my heart aches.
Animation of this sort - everyday, true-to-life character dramas, sparkling with color and humor and wit - does not exist in the West. France is the sole exception, with the films like The Illusionist Triplets of Bellville and Persepolis. It's no coincidence that France is also a great champion of Isao Takahata and his masterful works. I'm very interested in seeing if they embrace Goro Miyazaki as well.
These photos from Poppy Hill are wondrous. Ghibli's artists are unique with their lush colors, their luminescence, their rich and warm tones. It's a unique balance between Impressionism and Realism, with just a touch of caricature in the character designs. It's funny how Ghibli is known in the West for the escapist fantasy adventures, when this is the real heart of the studio. Desipite all the international acclaim and domestic success, they remain as they always were, a small studio that crafts romantic, nostalgia-fueled indie films.
This is what a Studio Ghibli movie looks like. It's not trying to outdo Walt Disney, or George Lucas, or JRR Tolkein. They follow their own unique path. If Goro-san can successful continue this tradition, while finding his unique voice, this will be a very successful future, indeed.
4 comments:
The last two photos are my favorites, with the 5th one taking the prize.
I love the the colors and tones, it fills me with a sense of comfort and warmth.
The naturalist/slice-of-life movies are my favourites too, but I can understand that they are reluctant to make them, as they are probably box office lead outside of Japan, which is quite sad.
I agree with you Daniel, I think Mimi wo Sumaseba is one of my favorite Ghibli flicks and hearing From Up on Poppy Hill being compared to it makes me very excited indeed! Can't wait to see it.
I've just watched Mimi again, this time on BluRay. Judging by the screenshots and an occasional trailer, Kokuriko is going to be close inspirit and graphics to Mimi, which is, incidentally, one of my most favourite Ghibli films (and I already see some riffs). The wisdom, which Grandpa Nishi imparted on Shizuku very much applies to Goro-san.
It looks as though Goro-san is turning from the rough stone he was at the time of Earthsea into a beautifully polished gem.
I truly miss animated films of this genre in the Western culture.
Post a Comment