Son of Miyazaki: A Goro Miyazaki Retrospective

YouTube essayist and documentary filmmaker Steven McCarthy returns once again with another look at Studio Ghibli, this time examining the career of Goro Miyazaki, the son of founding director Hayao Miyazaki who was responsible for Tales From Earthsea, From Up on Poppy Hill and Ronja the Robber's Daughter. This video goes into detail on these films, including production, overarching themes and public reception.

Goro Miyazaki doesn't get enough love from the fans. Part of that is due to the family name and the curse of having a famous father (ask Julian Lennon), and part of that is simply experience, as we have so few works to examine and study. If he continues to create animated films and television series and develop his own unique voice as an artist, those qualities will begin to dominate the conversation.

McCarthy does an excellent job moving that discussion forward, highlighting his strengths and weaknesses, his difficult relationship with his father, and the qualities that make Goro his own man. He may yet define the next generation of Studio Ghibli, bringing it into the modern era of 3D computer graphics animation while retaining the qualities of the hand-drawn tradition.

Once again, great video and great work. McCarthy promises this will be his final Ghibli documentary for a while, as he pursues other topics. I look forward to seeing his future projects. Somebody give him some grant money so he can create a feature length movie.

Feeling Conflicted About Poppy Hill

Animator and writer Michael Sporn is feeling slightly conflicted about his critical review of From Up on Poppy Hill.

I think of Ponyo riding those waves of the Tsunami. My heart – my entire body lifted in exuberance with that scene. No matter how many times I’ve seen the film it always does it.  I think of Spirited Away (so many moments) where Chihiro rides on that ghost train with “No Name” to the dark foreign and silent land of Yubaba, Zeniba’s twin sister. I think of Princess Mononoke when the god of the forest, dressed like a deer stands watching him from across the lake. It’s so glorious a moment. Or one of my all time favorite moments in the movies – standing at the bus stop with Totoro in the rain waiting for the bus to arrive. It doesn’t get better than that in film.

There are so many other Ghibli moments for me, I could keep going. Yet not even a hint of any of these in Poppy Hill. Maybe that’s why I felt I was so negative. I wanted something I shouldn’t have expected from a sophomore director without the proper experience to play out that very complex relationship between him and the girl. It becomes cliché when it should have torn at our hearts.

I completely understand and agree with your sentiments. My first viewing at the Uptown Theater was a frustrating disappointment. Perhaps I just wasn’t in the best mood, and like you, I feel a great desire to WANT to like this movie. Goro Miyazaki, after all, is the presumptive heir apparent to the studio. He’s being groomed to inherit the family business from his father, and despite his lack of experience, they’re working their hardest to help him grow into the director’s role.

But it always comes back to that simple fact – Goro Miyazaki has no experience as a filmmaker, a storyteller, or an animator. I will gladly agree that Poppy Hill is much better than Earthsea (a very low standard indeed), but the movie was still lacking passion, lacking vision. It was a dutiful son punching in his time card and doing a very respectable, if uninspiring, job.

I have a "copy" of the Japanese Blu-Ray (ahem), but I still haven’t summoned the energy to watch again. I feel as though I’m making excuses, trying to find a reason to like this movie and give it a favorable review. Sigh, it’s like I’m writing for GamePro Magazine all over again.  When you're telling yourself that you must "like something," it becomes dishonest, to myself and to others.  I want to see a good movie, despite all evidence, therefore a "good" movie appears before my eyes.  Believing is Seeing.

It’s interesting to note that Ghibli’s best animators (including the great director Yoshiyuki Momose, the true heir apparent) were working on the animated “film” for Ni no Kuni, the Playstation 3 video game. I’d like to see those animated scenes compiled and shared online, if only to compare to Poppy Hill’s presentation. I also think this movie is very Japanese, and much of the nostalgia and reflections on their post-war generation won’t speak to us. This setting, in the looming shadow of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, was Hayao Miyazaki’s key change from the original source material (a 1980 girls’ romance comic); the role of Japan's post-war generation, caught between tradition and the modern world, is arguably the great theme of his directorial career. Younger Goro doesn’t have that life experience, and so we don’t get those key insights, those little details, that we cherish so much in Miyazaki’s and Takahata’s films. Compare Poppy Hill to Mimi/Whisper and Omohide Poro Poro, and you’ll see that difference all too clearly.

I have no idea if Goro has greatness within him; I’m not even sure he wants the job. He’s fulfilling the role of the dutiful son, hoping this will bring him closer to his estranged father, or at least understand the man. But he doesn’t have any of his father’s passions or obsessions. Father Miyazaki was traumatized by war, raised among the ruins of a destroyed nation, and dreamed of drawing comic books and flying.

What makes Goro-san tick? He appears to be highly intelligent, very thoughtful, a peaceful man who would rather cultivate gardens or design architecture. I don’t know how he turns those passions into storytelling. And I don’t think he knows, either.  His voice has yet to emerge, and he must also emerge from the shadow of his famous father.  And the clock is ticking.  A daunting challenge, indeed.

Anyway, I’m sorry for rambling and taking up so much space. But I’m still shook up over Roger Ebert’s passing, and it’s good to talk about the movies with folks who understand.

From Up on Poppy Hill - Where is it Playing?

Where can you see Goro Miyazaki's From Up on Poppy Hill?  GKids, the American distributor of the Studio Ghibli film, has updated their list of cities and theaters where it is playing.  More venues may be added if popular demand is there.

In related news, Poppy Hill has grossed $341,793 as of April 4, according to Box Office Mojo.  More theaters will open the film throughout the month of April, slowing down in the following months.

Here is the list of cities and theaters playing From Up on Poppy Hill:


NOW PLAYING
New York - IFC Center
New York - Film Society of Lincoln Center
New York - Kew Gardens
New York - Beekman Theater
New York - Williamsburg Cinemas
Malverne, NY - Malverne Cinema 4
Huntington, NY - Cinema Arts Centre
Los Angeles - The Landmark
Los Angeles - Regal Edwards University Town Center 6
Los Angeles - Laemmle Playhouse
Toronto - TIFF Bell Lightbox
San Francisco - Landmark Embarcadero Center
San Francisco - Sundance Kabuki Cinemas
San Rafael - Regency San Rafael
Berkeley - Landmark California Theater
Pleasant Hill - Cinemark Century 5
Palo Alto - Cinemark Palo Alto Square
San Jose - Cinemark Santana Row
San Jose - Camera 7 Cinemas
Chicago - Landmark Century 7
Evanston, IL - CinéArts at Evanston
Minneapolis - Landmark Uptown Cinema
Seattle - Egyptian Theater
San Diego - Landmark Hillcrest
Waterloo, Canada - Princess Cinemas

APRIL 5:
Sacramento, CA - Tower Theatre
Boston, MA - Landmark Kendall Square Cinema
Claremont, CA - Laemmle Claremont
Santa Cruz, CA - Nickelodeon Del Mar Theatre
Redwood City, CA - Cinemark Century 20 Downtown
Long Beach, CA - Art Long Beach
Lancaster, CA - BLVD Cinemas
Los Angeles, CA - Laemmle Monica 4
Los Angeles, CA - Laemmle Noho 7
Seattle, WA - Sundance Cinemas Seattle
Seattle, WA - Majestic Bay Theater
Denver, CO - Landmark Esquire
Boulder, CO - Cinemark 16
Portland, OR - Regal Fox Tower
Honolulu, HI - Kahala 8
Washington, DC - Regal Gallery Place
Fairfax, VA - Angelika Mosaic
Danvers, MA - Hollywood Hits Danvers
Amherst, MA - Amherst Cinema
Minneapolis, MN - Landmark Edina
Omaha, NE - Film Streams

APRIL 12:
Cleveland, OH - Capitol Theatre
Cincinatti, OH - Mariemont Theater
Roseville, CA - Cinemark Century 14
Point Arena, CA - Arena Point Theater
Tempe, AZ - Harkins Valley Art
Philadelphia, PA - Landmark Ritz at the Bourse
Gaithesburg, MD - AMC Rio Gaithesburg
Arlington, VA - AMC Shirlington
Silver Springs, MD - Regal Majestic Silver Springs
Houston, TX - Sundance Cinemas
Tucson, AZ - Loft Cinema

APRIL 19:
Austin, TX - Regal Arbor
Dallas, TX - Landmark Magnolia
Plano, TX - Cinemark West Plano
Atlanta, GA - Landmark Midtown Art
St. Louis, MO - Landmark Plaza Frontenac
Boca Raton, FL - Living Room Boca Raton
Gainesville, FL - Hippodrome Theater
Madison, WI - Sundance Cinemas
Mobile, AL - The Crescent Theater
Millerton, NY - The Moviehouse
Bar Harbor, ME - Reel Pizza & Cinerama
San Luis Obispo, CA - The Palm Theatre
Sebastopol, CA - Rialto Cinemas
Santa Rosa, CA - Summerfield Cinemas

APRIL 26:
Charlottesville, VA - Regal Downtown West
Charlotte, NC - Regal Manor
Salt Lake City, UT - Broadway
Ithaca, NY - Cinemapolis
Las Vegas, NV - Regal Village Square
Bellingham, WA - Pickford Film Center
Marthas Vineyard, MA - MV Film Center

MAY 3:
Knoxville, TN - Regal Downtown West
Waterville, ME - Railroad Square Cinema

MAY 10:
Nashville, TN - The Belcourt
Milwaukee, WI - Landmark Oriental

JULY 10:
Nyack, NY - Palisades Center / Rivertown Film

Michael Sporn Reviews From Up on Poppy Hill

I hope Michael Sporn will forgive me for posting his review on From Up on Poppy Hill here on Ghibli Blog, but I thought it was a terrific read and would help spark some discussions among the Ghibli faithful.  As an animator and filmmaker, he brings a unique insight into these films, and whenever a new Ghibli movie arrives in the States, he's the first person who's opinions I seek.

As always, I highly recommending his Splog, which is a treasure trove of animation history and full of wit.  I learn something every time I visit, and so should you.

Enjoy Mr. Sporn's review, and let the debates commence:

This week I saw The Croods (and reviewed it here) and From Up on Poppy Hill. I really wanted Poppy Hill to be a small masterpiece, but it wasn’t. It was just a trek. I wanted Goro Miyazaki to have a glimmer of the old man in him; it’ll be hard to let go of Hayao Miyazaki when he retires or decides to end his enormous career. This film was supposedly written by Hayao in collaboration with the son, Goro. I didn’t feel the spirituality of Goro in this movie; That’s what I love about Hayao’s films; there’s a spirituality. All those films (at least since Totoro) are about so much more than what’s on the surface. What’s on the surface is usually good, too. And lately the animation has been getting better. If there’s any spirituality in Goro, it didn’t make it to the big screen, and the animation was first class TV work. No magic there, either.

It’s the second film directed by Goro Miyazaki. Tales from Earthsea should have jump-started a new career. The film was just dull. I assume the artists at Studio Ghibli want things to go on, as well. Poppy Hill had some of the elements of a Ghibli production; it just lacked the magic. First rate styling, fine character design (they all do look a bit like, at times), and a human story.

Although the story had too little in it. It was quite subtle and for a sophomore director to pull it off was too much to ask. The animation rarely had a spark. The characters always did what they were asked to do, but they didn’t really have much of a lifetime within them. The director needed a LOT of experience within him to pull it off, needed a lot of animation experience to be able to pull stronger performances out of his animators and needed a stronger connection to the story to make us care about those characters. Zer0 for three.

Don’t get me wrong; I’d take this over The Croods any day, but I’d prefer to have something good rather than either of these movies.

From Up on Poppy Hill Opens in Minneapolis

Update 4/1/13: In addition to the English-language version, a Japanese-language soundtrack should be included when Poppy Hill moves to the Lagoon Edina Theater on April 5.  Thanks to GKids for sharing the news.

Goro Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli movie, From Up on Poppy Hill, arrives today at the Lagoon Cinema in Minneapolis.  It's working its way through the indie circuit, courtesy of GKids, the fine folks responsible for the Studio Ghibli Film Festival last year.  It is also playing in select cities in the coming weeks.  I honestly don't know if or when the Blu-Ray (already available in Japan) will ever see an American release, so this is your only chance to see this movie in 2013.

As far as box office performance, it's probably best not to think about it too much.  This movie will barely make a million or two during its (very limited) theatrical run in the US, far less than the average Hollywood studio cartoon will make on any given showing.  It's fairly clear that our best chance for seeing Studio Ghibli reach mainstream success in our country has passed.  Ponyo was about as good as it gets, and it's all niche from there.

Don't let that discourage you.  Millions of people mindlessly slog through another season of American Idol, while ignoring the Miles Davis records on your shelf.  The fun stuff, the truly interesting stuff, that's hidden away, harder to reach, off the beaten path.  It has always been thus.  And part of the joy of discovery lies in seeking out these hidden gems.

If you're able to see Poppy Hill, I strongly encourage you to do so.  I'm looking forward to seeing how far Goro-san has progressed from Earthsea, if he is closer to finding his own unique voice, for seeing the latest chapter in the Miyazaki Family Saga.  Personally, my favorite Ghibli movies are Omohide Poro Poro and Mimi wo Sumaseba, so I have high expectations for this film.  I still find it astonishing that naturalist, neo-realist animation does not exist in the West.  Why is that, I wonder?  And what would have to happen to change that equation?  Right now, I'm pretty much out of answers.

I always tell people to run to the theaters anytime a Ghibli movie plays there.  We won't know when, or if, we'll have another chance.  Hayao Miyazaki's Kaze Tachinu and Isao Takahata's Kaguya Hime open in Japan this year, but there's little to no chance that Disney will pick up either title for distribution.  These aren't Disney cartoons, and there are no toys to sell.  So don't take anything for granted, kids.  Get to the theaters and see this movie while ya still can.  Mozel tov!

From Up on Poppy Hill: France Deluxe Blu-Ray

See, folks, this is how you handle a Blu-Ray movie.  This is the French deluxe Blu-Ray package for Goro Miyazaki's 2010 film, From Up on Poppy Hill.  This massive set includes the movie, postcards, a collection of playing cards, a poster, stickers, and a 50-page mini-magazine.

I think this is the future of physical media.  When digital distribution becomes easier and easier, and the visual difference between disc and download erases, publishers will need to employ more creative means of attracting customers, of offering something tangible that downloads can't match.

Personally, I think this is also necessary for video games, especially for classic and retro games from years past.  Why isn't there a Criterion Collection for video games?  Why couldn't there be one?  There should be one for animation, especially anime.  Our recently-released Lupin III Series One DVD set is a good example of this (ahem, cough).  Don't just offer the game, the television show, the movie - Offer the complete experience.  And offer it at a reasonable price.

More photos after the jump:

Poster: From Up on Poppy Hill (France)

Studio Ghibli's  Japanes movie posters for Poppy Hill are, surprisingly, underwhelming.  They're very nice, and I'm more than happy to add them to my collection, but they appear strangely colorless, a little bland.  This French poster is much better.  It's nice to have some warm colors on display, and it delivers its teen romance plot more directly.  This is the film's best poster yet, and I'm looking forward to what Australia and the UK will offer.

Naturally, Poppy Hill has that typically Ghibli-esque nostalgia that only works in Japan.  So many of their movies are set in the 1960s, to that first post-war generation, the emerging youth in the "new," Westernized Japan.  It also just happens to be the same era that Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata came of age.  It's arguably the most common thread through the Ghibli films, welcoming this radical change, embracing it, while also questioning its values and its disregard for the mythic past.  Those themes don't translate as easily to a Western audience.  Fortunately, we can all relate to a coming-of-age story, so if we miss the specific cultural references, we can relate to the broader themes, the broader brushstrokes.

Fortunately, Studio Ghibli is blessed with so many excellent movie posters.  I think everyone should have one or two hanging on their walls.

Ghibli Reveals Plans for Tokyo Anime Fair 2012

Studio Ghibli has revealed their plans for the 2012 Tokyo Anime Fair.  The fair runs March 22-25, and is a popular venue for announcing new movie projects and exhibitions.  This year is no exception.

The biggest announcement will be From Up on Poppy Hill on Blu-Ray and DVD.  Goro Miyazaki's film was Japan's highest-grossing domestic film of 2011, and is currently playing in theaters in France.  This newest addition to Ghibli's prestigious Blu-Ray library.  Cover design and packaging will also be unveiled at the Tokyo show in March.

 Leading the lineup of museum exhibitons will be a new show featuring Ghibli friend (and Evangelion director), Hideaki Anno.  "Director Hideaki Anno's Japanese Special Effects Museum: craftsmanship of Showa & Heisei Eras Looked Thru Miniatures" will arrive at the Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Art, Summer 2012.

The Ghibli Museum will have exhibits honoring American artist and Disney designer Mary Blair, and Canadian animation legend Frederic Back.  The Ghibli Museum's latest release, "Tales of the Night," will also be shown at the Tokyo Anime Fair.  All in all, this promises to be an exciting event.

Artist Spotlight: Studio Ghibli Paintings by Zeta

Here is another series of excellent Studio Ghibli artwork by a dedicated artist named Zeta, who shares my love of anime and video games (although I'm decidedly more retro).  In addition to his primary art site, he has a blog dedicated to his Ghibli paintings.  These paintings are my personal favorites, but I'm sure you'll have your favorites, as well.  Enjoy.

From Up on Poppy Hill Blu-Ray on Amazon France

From Up on Poppy Hill (La Colline Aux Coquelicots) is in the middle of its theatrical run in France, but Amazon.fr is already looking forward to the inevitable Blu-Ray and DVD release.  An official release date has yet to be made, so don't expect any announcements anytime soon.  The movie still has to play in other countries first!

As always, Japan will have the Blu-Ray release first for 6-8 months before Australia, the UK and France.  We Americans, as always, will be the last ones at the party.  If we're lucky, Disney will try a US theatrical run next year.  In any case, kids, Poppy Hill is coming.  Start saving your pennies.

Poster: From Up on Poppy Hill (Japan)

Here is the second Japanese movie poster for Goro Miyazaki's From Up on Poppy Hill. Very nice, a little reserved in tone and color, but promising a nostalgia-tinged teenage romance that is sure to entertain everyone (the story is set during the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games). I'm sure the collectors already have a copy hanging on their walls.

Meanwhile, Poppy Hill is playing in theaters across France, and Amazon France is now listing the upcoming DVD and Blu-Ray release, which will appear later this year.  No specific date has been mentioned as of yet, but expect it to arrive in Japan and Europe sometime this summer.

Photos: From Up on Poppy Hill

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.

Poppy Hill to Premier at Toronto International Film Festival

The Toronto International Film Festival has announced that Studio Ghibli's latest film, From Up On Poppy Hill, will make its debut on the international stage.  This is a surprising coup, as Ghibli's international premiers have occured at the Venice Film Festival.  Excellent news for Toronto!

The 38th Annual Toronto International Film Festival runs September 8-18.  Passes are currently available, and individual tickets will be available on September 3.

Photos: From Up on Poppy Hill

A series of excellent photos of Kokuriko/From Up on Poppy Hill were posted alongside Leonardo Flores' enthusiastic review.  He notes the film's strong parallels with Mimi wo Sumaseba and Omohide Poro Poro, and it does appear to hew closer to Isao Takahata's everyday realism than Father Miyazaki's surrealist escapism.  This is the direction that Ghibli wishes to explore for now, fueled in large part by the shock of this year's massive earthquake and nuclear crisis.

While Kokuriko has very stiff competition at the Japanese box office - the "final" Harry Potter movie, and the latest Pokemon commercial - I expect it to be very successful, and Goro Miyazaki's reputation will be, to a great extent, redeemed.  People will give him a second look, and they may become comfortable with the idea of his inheriting his father's famous movie studio.  He has grown tremendously these last four years, and he is now emerging as a confident filmmaker in his own right.  Let's cross our fingers and hope for the best.

From Up on Poppy Hill: The Official Art Book

In keeping with tradition, Studio Ghibli will be publishing an official art book of their latest feature, Kokuriko-Zaka Kara.  It has been christened with the movie's official international title - From Up On Poppy Hill.  I've always enjoyed the litarary quality to Ghibli's titles, their flowery prose.  I like this title, it flows.

The Ghibli completest will want to have the art book in their collection, particularly if you're not willing to wait another year or two for Kokuriko to arrive in your country.  I'm sure we'll see a Western publication at some point (Viz is the American publisher of the Ghibli books).

I'm honestly not certain if these screenshots come from the art book, or from another source.  These were sent to me by a Korean blogger, and he didn't give any additional information.  In any case, we're grateful to have every scrap of new information about Goro Miyazaki's latest film.  It looks terrific, very similar to Mimi wo Sumaseba.  I continue to marvel at the idea of animation that's devoted to daily life, not fantasy.  It's a uniquely Japanese anime concept.

Animated feature films aimed at girls...what a unique concept.  When is Hollywood going to try that over here?  All we get at the multiplex is 1950s housewives, toy commercials, and Star Wars.  And it's all pitched at boys.  A few more options would be desirable.

From Up on Poppy Hill (Kokuriko-Zaka Kara): Preview and First Impressions

On June 23, Studio Ghibli held its first production staff preview of their upcoming film, Kokuriko-Zaka Kara.  It appears that the earthquake and subsequent nuclear meltdown couldn't hold Ghibli down for long.  Everything appears to be on schedule, and the media promotions should begin shortly.

After the preview screening, a number of Ghibli staff shared their impressions on Twitter.  The following are translated from the original Japanese, courtesy of T. Ishikawa:

@nagasawamg:
Kokuriko-zaka first preview was held today. It was a really wonderful work.
I almost cried several times. I really thought that the youth is wonderful.
I want all of you to watch it early.

@nerd_core:
Kokuriko-zaka is probably far more interesting film than many of you think.
Personally, it is far more better than Tales from Earthsea and Arrietty
and better than Whisper of the Heart (as same genre).
I recommend it to you.

@shima999:
Yesterday was Kokuriko-zaka first preview day.
The stage of the story is Yokohama city of 1960s.
The straight look of chief characters pierced me from nostalgia scenery of the screen.

@HP0128:
I went Ghibli's latest film Kokuriko-zaka Kara first preview yesterday.
The figure of the boy and girl who faced difficulty but confront straight it was impressive.
The theme that Hayao Miyazaki-san aimed at was expressed properly.

@HP0128:
The decadent beauty was impressive in Arrietty, but beauty of positive power
is expressed straight in Kokurikoo-zaka. I don't like chorus scene of Japanese movie,
but the chorus scene of this movie is splendid.

From Up on Poppy Hill (Kokuriko-Zaka Kara) Press Conference

Studio Ghibli's Kokuriko-Zaka Kara press conference was held in Japan today.  In attendance was Goro Miyazaki, the director, Toshio Suzuki, the producer, and Hayao Miyazaki, among others.  Much of the focus of the day was on the recent earthquake, which has severely impacted Japan and Kara's production.  However, despite the recent tragedy, Ghibli insists they will meet their July 16 release date.

In a telling sign of the times, Ghibli's press conference was held without microphones in order to save electricity.

Toshio Suzuki revealed that Kara is currently 50% complete and is "considerably late." He explains: "Because all of the data of the server may vanish by a blackout, we do the computer work at night, but it does not progress at all. The influence of the earthquake is serious. But it's our duty to release the film on July 16. We will do it somehow!"

Hayao Miyazaki delivered a moving speech to the people of Japan, of their resolve, and the need to continue to create art.  This is his first official statement since the earthquake struck Japan.  You can read his complete remarks (in Japanese) here.  Some translated notes of his remarks are as follows:

"In this country which have many people who are not yet buried and is losing the part of the country, we continue working with awareness making an animation."

"Now is not the time talk careless about civilization from the high place. Hundreds of thousands of people shake with starvation and cold, and I feel thanks and boastfulness for much sacrifice of the people still working by nuclear power plant and other place." (Miyazaki wipes tears)

"Our island has been attacked many times by an earthquake, a volcano, a typhoon and a tsunami. I think that this land is worth making an effort to do in the beautiful island where a human being lives in once again even if there is much difficulty."

"Now is not the time to make a fantasy. Must be drawn life-size human now."

"I'm thinking now that this project (Kokuriko-Zaka Kara) was not a mistake. A wish of Umi (heroine) is necessary in times from now on."

"It is the pride of Ghibli not to make popular things. The person of the mail carrier continues sending mail, and a busman continues running in a traffic jam (under this disaster). Therefore we make a movie."

The highlight of today's press conference was the debut of the movie's theme song, "Sayonara no Natsu: Kokuriko-zaka Kara (Summer of Good-bye: From Kokuriko Hill)."  The song, originally written in 1976, will be released on June 1, and the soundtrack CD, "Kokuriko-zaka Kara Song Collection," will be released on July 1.  The song is now available for mobile phones.

The song was performed live by singer Aoi Teshima.  Also in attendance were the songwriters, Koichi Sakata (music) and Yukiko Marimura (words). Ms. Teshima's performance visibly moved the audience - reporters, staff, and Miyazaki-san - to tears.  It was a touching moment of beauty in light of the tragedy.

One extra note: Koichi Sakata was the music composer for 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother, the 1976 TV series of the World Masterpiece Theater.  I can testify that the rich music, spanning from Italy to Argentina, is one of the show's highlights.  This is a gifted songwriter.

Studio Ghibli Production Diary Resumes

Studio Ghibli's production diary has finally resumed after the Japanese earthquake-tsunami. The entries reveal the studio's activities during the crucial days after the tragedy. The latest entries are as follows:

March 14 - An emergency meeting was held. It was decided that Ghibli would have a temporary holiday (as a result of the earthquake).

March 16 - A meeting was held again. The combination the working hours of the staff (to work in double shifts due to rolling blackouts) was decided.

March 17 - At 11:00 am, all staff members gathered in the first floor and gave a silent prayer of one minute. Hayao Miyazaki spoke a powerful message and all staff members promised to commit to Kokuriko-Zaka Kara's completion.

(March 18) No calls or e-mails from outside companies will be answered. (Miyazaki and Ghibli will make a statement at a future time.)

Thanks, as always, to T. Ishikawa for his tireless work. He's really hustling for that Hickory Farms gift package, isn't he? We'll be sure to send him something nice.

Ghibli Teases Kokuriko-Zaka Kara on Japanese TV

Studio Ghibli teased more footage from the upcoming Kokuriko-Zaka Kara this week on Japanese network NTV.  The program snuck a peek inside the studio, spying a few images of character designs and background paintings.  Everything looks terrific, very much in the Ghibli tradition.  Goro Miyazaki tried top copy his father's style with his first directoral feature, Tales From Earthsea.  Now, it seems he is following Isao Takahata's neo-realism.  We will no doubt see more at the Kara press conference on March 28.

T. Ishikawa just so happened to have a camera handy, and snapped these photos of the television set.  Yes, it's pretty old fashioned, but it works.

Studio Ghibli's Plans For Kokuriko-Zaka Kara (From Up on Poppy Hill)

What is Studio Ghibli's present situation, and what are their future plans for their current production, Kokuriko-Zaka Kara, in the wake of last week's earthquake and tsunami?  Toshi Suzuki broke the silence yesterday on his radio show.  Defiant and confident, he declared, "We will do what we should do now."  According to Suzuki-san, both he and Hayao Miyazaki have decided on three major points:

1) Production of Kara will not be delayed or postponed.  They are still committed to their July 16 release date.

2) The computer work will now be around the clock, with a second team working from 8:00pm to 8:00am.  Rolling blackouts have stopped production on the computers this past week, prompting the studio to work doubly hard to meet their deadline.

3) Studio Ghibli will remain quiet until the current crisis has safely passed.

Suzuki-san also announced the date for the Kokuriko-Zaka Kara press conference - March 28.

T. Ishikawa, our Tokyo correspondant, elaborates on Suzuki's remarks during his radio program:

According to Suzuki, he was objected to by many people who say "It (Kara press conference) is inappropriate for this situation." But Suzuki says "I will carry it out. All Japanese motion pictures are damaged now. Probably many people want to know how Hayao Miyazaki thinks about the Japan earthquake. I asked Miya-san for attendance. Then Miya-san said 'I see, I will think what I say while working.'"