Studio Ghibli Season at the BFI

With Japanese animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli celebrating its 30th birthday next year, London’s BFI is set to host a complete retrospective of all the studio’s films.

My Neighbour Totoro

Source: © 1988 Nibariki – G

My Neighbour Totoro

Featuring a bewildering cast of bus-shaped cats, fighter ace pigs and even giant moving castles, Studio Ghibli’s entertaining fantasy aesthetic is unmistakable.

Combining this look with rich storytelling and deep philosophical issues has given Studio Ghibli international success.

Howl's Moving Castle

Source: © 2004 Nibariki – GNDDDT

Howl’s Moving Castle

Breakthrough film Princess Mononoke, from 1997, is set in Japan’s Muromachi Period and was the first animated film to win Japan’s National Academy Award for best film of the year, while 2001’s Spirited Away became the top-grossing film in the history of Japanese Cinema and won an Oscar for best animated feature.

Sprited Away

Source: © 2001 Nibariki – GNDDTM

Sprited Away

Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Tkahata, along with producer Toshio Suzuki.

The studio has so far produced nearly 20 films, all of which will be shown at the BFI Southbank throughout April and May.

Princess Mononoke

Source: © 1997 Nibariki – GND

Princess Mononoke

The season will also feature a preview of upcoming Ghibli release The Wind Rises, a fictionalised biography of Jiro Horikoshi, who designed the Mitsubishi A6M Zero aircraft, used by Japan in World War II.

Porco Rosso

Source: © 1992 Nibariki – GNN

Porco Rosso

The Studio Ghibli Season is at BFI Southbank, London SE1, throughout April and May. For more information visit www.bfi.org.uk.

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