Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron

Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron
Directed byKaku Arakawa
Running time
120 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron is a 2024 Japanese documentary film which follows the seven-year production of Hayao Miyazaki's film The Boy and the Heron at Studio Ghibli.[1][2][3] The documentary is directed by Kaku Arakawa.

Themes

The film documents the collaboration between Hayao Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki, showcasing their dynamic that mirrors the relationship between the characters Mahito and the Heron.[4]

The documentary also explores Miyazaki's confrontation with mortality. The film captures the director's grief over the loss of his mentor and rival Isao Takahata, and shows the physical changes in Miyazaki himself as he ages into his 80s.[3] It also reveals Miyazaki's struggles during production, including moments of frustration where he questions his own abilities.[5]

Release

The documentary premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and was made available on multiple streaming platforms including Max, Amazon Prime, and Netflix in 117 countries. It was initially aired by NHK in 2023 before being re-edited for its Cannes premiere.[6]

References

  1. ^ "'Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron' Documentary Now Streaming on Max U.S." www.animationmagazine.net. September 6, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  2. ^ Graves, Sabina (May 20, 2024). "Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron Explores the Ghibli Master's Journey on His Latest Film". Gizmodo.
  3. ^ a b "The New Hayao Miyazaki Doc Is Obsessed With Death". Vulture. September 12, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  4. ^ "Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  5. ^ Stanley, Alyse (September 11, 2024). "Max quietly unveils 'Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron' documentary on Studio Ghibli's Oscar-winning animator". Tom's Guide. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  6. ^ Palm, Eric Augustin (December 11, 2024). "'Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron' documentary meditates on auteur's creativity and legacy". The Japan Times. Retrieved December 17, 2024.