Join “The Films Of… “ crew and UK Film Review critics James Learoyd and Callum Ewing, along with special co-host Tom Manning, as they analyse and discuss one of cinema’s most famous and influential directors: Hayao Miyazaki. In this first part, we explore how Miyazaki’s upbringing shaped recurring themes in his films, from environmentalism and aviation to societies that turn machines into weapons of war. Beginning with The Castle of Cagliostro (1979), we move through his filmography, including Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), Castle in the Sky (1986), My Neighbour Totoro (1988), Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), and Porco Rosso (1992), before concluding part one with Princess Mononoke (1997).
The episode traces Miyazaki’s journey from animator at Toei Animation, where he met Isao Takahata, to co-founding Studio Ghibli with him and later influencing Western animation. We also discuss his approach to female protagonists such as Nausicaä and San, his creation of complex antagonists, and how the concept of ma — silence and space — shapes the pacing of his films.
We examine how Miyazaki adapted the manga and TV series he had worked on into The Castle of Cagliostro, how Frank Herbert’s Dune inspired Nausicaä, and how a trip to Wales influenced Castle in the Sky. We also cover why My Neighbour Totoro struggled at the box office before becoming a merchandising phenomenon, how Miyazaki moved from producing to directing Kiki’s Delivery Service, how the war in Yugoslavia shaped the tone of Porco Rosso, and how Princess Mononoke became one of Japan’s biggest films.
Through this first part we hope longtime fans and newcomers can sit back and relax whilst appreciating one of the master of cinema.
Remember to head to the UK Film Review website for the latest movie reviews.
","author_name":"UK Film Review"}