Despite having recently celebrated an Oscar victory for the animated feature “The Boy and The Heron,” Studio Ghibli and its venerable founder Hayao Miyazaki are not resting on their laurels. The Tokyo-based studio, known for its thought-provoking and beautifully animated films, hasn’t unveiled future project plans just yet.
At 83, Hayao Miyazaki isn’t shutting the door on his illustrious directorial career, pondering his return to the film world with possibly a short film. Miyazaki’s previous announcement of his retirement has been a source of self-reflective humor for the celebrated filmmaker.
“He regrets having announced to the world he won’t make another film,” shared Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli’s co-founder, reveling in the studio’s recent Oscar win.
When the Oscar news broke in Japan, cheers filled the humble studio on Tokyo’s outskirts, with media members watching the ceremony on a large screen.
It was a banner day for Japan’s film industry, with “Godzilla Minus One” snagging the Oscar for best visual effects—a first for Japan in this category. The dual triumph of Ghibli and Godzilla was celebrated by Japanese media, marking a milestone for Japanese cinema since 2009. An editorial in the Yomiuri newspaper chronicled this as a pivotal moment in the nation’s film history.
The film “Oppenheimer,” although unrelated to Studio Ghibli, made a strong showing at the Oscars as well, winning seven awards, including best picture. Excitement is building as the film has yet to premiere in Japan.
Among other nominees, “Perfect Days” by Wim Wenders, featuring the Japanese actor Koji Yakusho, was recognized at Cannes but did not win at the Oscars. The short animated film “War is Over” drew inspiration from Yoko Ono and John Lennon’s music, with their son Sean Lennon highlighting his Japanese heritage in his Oscar speech.
Miyazaki, ever the private individual, celebrated the Oscar win away from the public eye, while Studio Ghibli’s co-founder Suzuki speculated on why “The Boy and The Heron” was awarded. Its hand-drawn aesthetics and emotional depth stood out, he suggested. Studio Ghibli spent a decade crafting the film and chose a modest approach in its promotion, trusting in the merit of their work.
“We thought it was OK to make something we really wanted to make,” Suzuki concluded.
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FAQs About Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli
- Has Hayao Miyazaki officially come out of retirement?
While he had announced his retirement, Miyazaki has not ruled out continuing to make films, hinting at the possibility of creating short films.
- What recognition did Studio Ghibli’s “The Boy and The Heron” receive at the Oscars?
The film won an Oscar for the best animated feature.
- What is significant about the recent wins for Japanese films at the Oscars?
It marks the first time since 2009 that Japan has had multiple winners, celebrating achievements for both Studio Ghibli and the visual effects for “Godzilla Minus One”.
- Did Hayao Miyazaki attend the Oscar ceremony to celebrate his win?
No, Miyazaki chose to celebrate privately at his atelier and did not attend Studio Ghibli’s event.
Conclusion
In the lush pantheon of filmmaking, few figures stand as prominently as Hayao Miyazaki. Despite past announcements of retirement, the master animator proves that his creative spirit continues to thrive, much to the delight of audiences around the world. Miyazaki’s legacy is as enduring as the hand-drawn images that populate Studio Ghibli’s films. His resolve to pursue passion projects, whether they blaze across cinema screens or encapsulated in the artistry of a short film, underscores a powerful message: true artistry knows no bounds nor age.