Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Saturday 9 January, 6:00pm
Japan, 1984
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Starring: Uma Thurman, Shia LaBeouf, Alison Lohman
What's it about?
This early work from Miyazaki marked the beginning of Studio Ghibli. Nausicaä is a gentle princess living in the wake of an ecological disaster, which has results in a fierce competition for dwindling resources. She and her allies travel by glider to attempt to negotiate peace between the warring kingdoms.
Castle in the Sky
Saturday 16 January, 6:00pm
Japan, 1986
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Starring: Anna Paquin, James Van Der Beek, Mark Hamill
What's it about?
The orphan Sheeta inherited a mysterious crystal that links her to the mythical sky-kingdom of Laputa. With the help of resourceful Pazu and a rollicking band of sky pirates, she makes her way to the ruins of the once-great civilization. Sheeta and Pazu must outwit the evil Muska (voiced by Star Wars' Mark Hamill), who plans to use Laputa's science to make himself ruler of the world. Miyazaki's third film will take the whole family on an exciting and fun adventure.
My Neighbour Totoro
Saturday 23 January, 6:00pm
Japan, 1988
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, Tim Daly
What's it about?Two young girls, Satsuke and Mai, find their new country home is in a mystical forest inhabited by a menagerie of mystical creatures called Totoros. They befriend Totoro, the biggest and eldest Totoro, who is also the king of the forest. As their girls' mother lies sick in the hospital, Totoro brings the sisters on a magical adventure but also helps them to understand the realities of life. Like Mickey Mouse did before, the round and affable Totoro quickly reached cult status, and has become one of the most beloved animation characters.
Kiki's Delivery Service
Saturday 30 January, 6:00pm
Japan, 1989
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Debbie Reynolds, Phil Hartman
What's it about?
Kiki, a young witch, has turned 13, and according to the ancient tradition she must leave home to find her own place in the world. She flies her broom to a coastal town where she finds a room above a local bakery, run by Mrs Osono, and sets up a delivery service. Kiki is doing fine until one day she discovers that her powers have disappeared – she cannot fly her broomstick and she can no longer communicate with her cat Jiji. Ursula, a painter Kiki has met on one of her delivery runs, explains artist's block and how something similar may have affected Kiki.
The Triplets of Belleville
Saturday 6 February, 6:00pm
France, 2003
Director: Sylvain Chomet
Starring: Lina Boudreau, Michele Caucheteux, Jean-Claude Donda
What's it about?This Oscar-nominated gem (a.k.a. Belleville Rendez-Vous) tells the story of an orphaned boy, Champion, who is raised by his grandmother, Madame Souza. Her gift of a tricycle starts a craze for cycle racing that becomes the cornerstone of their life together. After years of relentless training, Champion makes it to the Tour de France, but is mysteriously kidnapped by a pair of sinister crooks. Supported by her faithful dog Bruno, Madame Souza embarks on an epic adventure across the Atlantic to rescue her beloved Champion.
[link title="The Triplets of Belleville Review" url="node/2955"]
The Illusionist
Saturday 13 February, 6:00pmWATCH IT NOW
France, 2010
Director: Sylvain Chomet
Starring: Eilidh Rankin, Jean-Claude Donda
What's it about?
Based on an original script by Jacques Tati and directed by Sylvain Chomet (The Triplets of Belleville), The Illusionist is a sumptuous, melancholic animated film set in 1959 about a struggling French magician, Tatischeff. When he can no longer find work in Paris, he tries to find an audience in the Scottish Hebrides, he meets a young fan, Alice, who is working at the pub where he's staying. Alice is convinced of his magic powers, and starts following him on his performances, helping him with cleaning and cooking.
[link title="The Illusionist Review" url="node/5550"]
Spirited Away
Saturday 20 February, 6:00pm
Japan, 2001
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Starring: Jack Angel, Suzanne Pleshette, Daveigh Chase
What's it about?This critically-acclaimed animation earned Miyazaki the 2002 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and frequently ranks among the greatest animated films. Heroin Chihiro and her family are on their way to their new house in the suburbs, but her father takes a wrong turn, and they wind up in a mysterious place that at first seems like an abandoned theme park. As Chihiro starts exploring, she finds herself trapped in a strange palace inhabited by ghosts and strange creatures.
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Ponyo
Saturday 27 February, 5:35pm
Japan, 2008
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Liam Neeson
What's it about?Cuteness and fantasy abounds in Miyazaki's answer to the Danish fairy tale "The Little Mermaid". In a small town by the sea lives five year-old Sosuke. One morning while playing on the rocky beach below his house, he rescues a goldfish named Ponyo, her head stuck in a jar. Both Ponyo and Sosuke become firm friends until Ponyo's father forces her to return with him to the ocean depths. What follows is an amazing underwater adventure for all ages...
[link title="Ponyo Review" url="node/4794"]
