“I would like to make a film to tell children “it’s good to be alive”.” ― Hayao Miyazaki

It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t love Hayao Miyazaki’s films. Regardless of age, there is something profound to be gained from watching any of this Japanese animator’s masterpieces. In this celebration of Miyazaki and the wonders he has created, we delve deep into the nostalgic yet fictional universe of Studio Ghibli. For many of us, our earliest film memories are of the Totoro, Kiki the Witch, Princess Mononoke, or Spirited Away. But how have his films shaped our worldview? We explore Miyazaki’s process and discuss why his animations remain just as relevant today.

Show notes

• How Studio Ghibli Makes Animation Feel Alive | Kaptain Kristian
• Hayao Miyazaki About Dreams
• Hayao Miyazaki: The Mind of a Master | Any-mation
• Better a Pig than a Fascist | Accented Cinema
• The Conflicting Ideals of Hayao Miyazaki | Quality Culture

Films mentioned

(click on the links for tickets to screenings at LAB111)

• Princess Mononoke (Hayao Miyazaki, 1997)
• Other People’s Children (Rebecca Zlotowski, 2022)
• Une Fille Facile (Rebecca Zlotowski, 2019)
• Gerlach (Aliona van der Horst & Luuk Bouwman, 2023)
• Four Little Adults (Selma Vilhunen, 2023)
• Tree of Life (Terrence Malick, 2011)
• RRR (S. S. Rajamouli, 2022)
• Spirted Away (Hayao Miyazaki, 2001)
• Jurassic Park (Steven Spielberg, 1993)
• Kiki’s Delivery Service (Hayao Miyazaki, 1989)
• My Neighbour Totoro (Hayao Miyazaki, 1988)
• The Boy and The Heron (Hayao Miyazaki, 2023)
• The Wind Rises (Hayao Miyazaki, 2013)
• Porco Rosso (Hayao Miyazaki, 1992)
• Grave of the Fireflies (Isao Takahata, 1988)
• Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (Hayao Miyazaki, 1984)
• The Red Turtle (Michael Dudok de Wit, 2016)
• Howl’s Moving Castle (Hayao Miyazaki, 2004)
• Ponyo (Hayao Miyazaki, 2008)

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