Renowned director Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli return to the world of animation with his latest work, The Boy and The Heron. This animated film has been released simultaneously in theaters in the country on December 13, 2023.
Previously after releasing The Wind Rises in 2013, Hayao Miyazaki took a decade-long hiatus before returning with his latest work. The movie, titled "The Boy and The Heron" (Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka) had hit theaters in Japan in July 2023 and was the opening act.
On Sunday (December 10, 2023), KAORI had the opportunity to watch The Boy and the Heron in a special screening event. More than just an animation, this work offers an interesting story by taking the background of the protagonist's childhood during World War II (WWII).
Synopsis
The story begins with a fire in a Japanese town that claims the life of the protagonist's mother, Mahito. Mahito, who pursues his father, Shoichi Maki, in an attempt to save his mother, is faced with an irreversible fate. His mother died in the fire, leaving a deep sadness in Mahito's heart.
This tragedy serves as the prelude to this animation, inspired by the novel "How Do You Live?" by Genzaburo Yoshino.
The story continues as Mahito, his father, and Natsuko move to the village to escape the effects of the war. In the village, they meet various characters, including a strange talking crane. The bird asks Mahito for help to save his mother who is in the realm of the dead.
Mahito immediately decides to find out the crane's whereabouts and finds it nesting in an old, abandoned-looking house. However, the stork showed a very aggressive attitude, trying to attack Mahito multiple times.
When his stepmother, Natsuko, suddenly disappears, Mahito along with one of his old servants, Kiriko (voiced by Ko Shibasaki), decide to search for her in the forest. They discover the sound of the stork, inviting them inside to meet his mother who claims to be alive. Mahito's journey to find his stepmother begins.
Typical Ghibli Visuals with the Director's Preferences
Visually, the film retains Miyazaki's signature rural landscapes, distinctive characters, and humorous instrumental elements that have appeared in his previous works. However, unlike Miyazaki's other works suitable for children, "The Boy and The Heron" is aimed more at adult audiences, especially when Mahito enters a fantasy world and meets fantasy characters.
The movie invites viewers to face reality rather than seek escape in an imaginary world, a lesson reflected in Mahito's choice to accept suffering in the real world rather than mastering a fantasy world. "The Boy and The Heron" depicts Mahito's emotional journey through various interconnected key events. Supported by Joe Hisaishi's signature music, it increases the intensity of watching the movie.
In addition, the movie seems to reflect Miyazaki's childhood memories, such as when Shoichi brought the airplane modules to their residence to avoid damage. With its deep themes and distinctive visuals, "The Boy and The Heron" offers an indulgent cinematic experience for viewers by presenting a complex and emotionally charged story.
Relevance of Hayao Miyazaki's Background
It is known that Miyazaki's father was a director at Miyazaki Airplane, a company that produced rudders for fighter planes during World War II. This information adds a rich nostalgic feel to each of Miyazaki's works.
All these elements, which are related to Miyazaki's personal life, seem to be well reflected in the narrative of "The Boy and the Heron". Although Mahito is not Miyazaki directly, the 82-year-old director's life story seems to be reflected in the character. There is a deep personal touch to the work and gives viewers a deeper understanding of the determination, passion and experiences that shaped Miyazaki into who he is today.
Conclusion and Impression of the Movie The Boy and The Heron (2023)
Watching the movie "The Boy and The Heron" requires a little patience. The scene in the first hour may feel a little too long, there is a repetition of several plot points that are quite monotonous before starting Mahito's fantasy journey. Entering the second phase, especially when Mahito searches for his stepmother, Miyazaki provides a pleasant movie journey rewarded with some cute characters such as the wara-wara and the parakeet army with an emotional final scene.
Perhaps, Hayao Miyazaki wants to give a message to the audience to keep struggling with their own lives. While maintaining hope and struggling to solve one problem at a time.