Toshio Suzuki
Description
In 2013, Academy Award-winning film director and animator Hayao Miyazaki suddenly announced his retirement at the age of 72. But he can't shake his burning desire to create. After an encounter with young CGI animators, Miyazaki embarks on a new project to utilize CGI for the first time. But he confronts many challenges that threaten to cancel the film. This program goes behind the scenes over two years as Miyazaki overcomes struggles to create his...
Description
A look inside the notoriously insular Studio Ghibli, a production company known for its animated films. Follows director Hayao Miyazaki, producer Toshio Suzuki, and director Isao Takahata for a year as the studio rushes to complete two films, Miyazaki's The Wind Rises and Takahata's The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.
Series
Description
"Inflicted with a deadly curse, a young warrior named Ashitaka sets out to the forests of the west in search of the cure that will save his life. Once there, he becomes inextricably entangled in a bitter battle that matches Lady Eboshi and a proud clan of humans against the forest's animal gods, who are led by the brave Princess Mononoke, a young woman raised by wolves, who will stop at nothing to prevent the humans from destroying her home and the...
Description
The story is set in 1963 in Yokohama. Kokuriko Manor sits on a hill overlooking the harbour. A 16 year-old girl, Umi, lives in that house. Every morning she raises a signal flag facing the sea. The flag means 'I pray for safe voyages'. A 17 year-old boy, Shun, always sees this flag from the sea as he rides a tugboat to school. In preparation for next year's Tokyo Olympics, people are destroying the old and believing only in the magnificence of the...
Description
Growing up in an orphanage in the British countryside, Earwig has no idea that her mother had magical powers. Her life changes dramatically when a strange couple takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch. As the headstrong young girl sets out to uncover the secrets of her new guardians, she discovers a world of spells and potions, and a mysterious song that may be the key to finding the family she has always wanted.
Series
Description
"Based on the class "Earthsea" fantasy book series by Ursula K. Le Guin, Tales From Earthsea is set in a mythical world filled with magic and bewitchment. In the land of Earthsea, crops are dwindling, dragons have reappeared and humanity is giving way to chaos. Journey with Lord Archmage Sparrowhawk, a master wizard, and Arren, a troubled young prince, on a tale of redemption and self-discovery as they search for the force behind the mysterious imbalance...
11) The red turtle
Series
Description
Follows the major life stages of a castaway on a deserted tropical island populated by turtles, crabs and birds. He tries to escape the island but is prevented from doing so by a large red sea turtle. Soon he is joined by a young woman also lost at sea.
12) Porco Rosso
Description
Slouching towards middle age, Porco Rosso makes his living by flying about in his red bi-plane and fighting sky bandits who prey on cruise ships sailing the Adriatic. When he's not engaging in dog fights, this pilot lives on a deserted island retreat. Porco was once a strapping young man, but after his entire squadron was wiped out, he is mysteriously transformed into a pig. Then he is defeated in a dogfight against a dashing American rival, who has...
13) Ponyo
Description
A young boy named Sosuke rescues a goldfish named Ponyo, and they embark on a fantastic journey of friendship and discovery before Ponyo's father, a powerful sorcerer, forces her to return to her home in the sea. Ponyo's desire to be human upsets the delicate balance of nature and triggers a gigantic storm. Only Ponyo's mother, a beautiful sea goddess, can restore nature's balance and make Ponyo's dreams come true.
16) The wind rises
Series
Description
Jiro dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes, inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni. Nearsighted from a young age and unable to be a pilot, Jiro joins a major Japanese engineering company in 1927 and becomes one of the world's most innovative and accomplished airplane designers. Jiro meets and falls in love with Nahoko, and grows and cherishes his friendship with his colleague Honjo. The film chronicles much of his...
17) Pom poko
Description
"From the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away, and Academy Award-nominated director Isao Takahata, comes an action-packed ecological fable about the clash between nature and human civilization. The tanuki (raccoon dogs) of Tama Hills find their fun-loving community under attack when their quiet woodlands are threatened by encroaching developers looking to create still more houses and shopping malls. Desperate to survive, the tanuki...
Description
In the year 1963 in Yokohama, an innocent romance blossoms between two high school students, Umi and Shun. As Japan recovers from World War II and prepares to host the 1964 Olympics, the mood contains both optimism and conflict as the younger generation struggles to escape the shackles of the past. While trying to save a dilapidated Meiji-era club house from demolition, the relationship flourishes. But a buried secret from their past emerges to cast...
19) Pom poko
Description
An extraordinary tale of transformation and hope is told as the human world begins to encroach upon the animal world. When the raccoons of the Tama Hills are forced from their homes by encroaching houses and shopping malls, they band together and perfect the ancient art of transformation until they are able to appear as humans.