Excellent news! Ponyo will premier in the US on 750 screens in August.
For reference sake, Miyazaki's previous feature film, Howl's Moving Castle, premiered on 202 screens. It seems our optimism was warrented, and Studio Ghibli will be given its proper due in American moviehouses at last.
I've long believed that any Ghibli movie could become a hit in the United States if given the proper exposure. It seems we are about to put that theory to the test.
Thanks to FilmJerk.com for the news.
2 comments:
Excellent to hear! Although it's kinda sad at the same time that we are excited over 750 theaters, when 2000 is considered a "modest release" and the big movies get around 4000.
Hopefully some strong early numbers will persuade some theaters to add the film along the way. A release of 750 also leads me to believe Disney will advertise this more. I'm pretty confident now that they will show a trailer for this before "Up". (please)
I have actually been fortunate in the past with having both Spirited Away and Howl's shown at a multiplex theater located downtown called "Tinseltown". One of the many advantages of living in Vancouver is that we seem to get most films. I wonder how many theaters here will show Ponyo? Hopefully more then the usual amount of one.
750 screens is an excellent number. Remember that we are talking about an independent, foreign film. Seen that way, Ponyo's off to an excellent start. And the possibility exists for the number of screens to expand.
As always, it's up to us to spread the word and bring out all the fans. Every one of us will have to bring extra friends or family to the opening weekend.
Every year, there's one independent film that breaks through to the wider public. Ponyo could be this year's "surprise" hit.
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