Studio Ghibli Fest 2017 has officially begun! Six beloved Miyazaki classics are returning to the big screen of AMC Theatres for select dates from June through November with both subbed and dubbed versions of each. This partnership between Fathom Events and GKIDS brings biggest series of anime titles in the U.S.
In the past year, AMC has already welcomed two Studio Ghibli favorites, "Spirited Away" and "Princess Monoke," with great success. It wasn't as simple as going to the movies. It was an experience. The energy of the theater was entirely different. It was almost like going to a convention as everyone there had many positive feelings of the film. There was a heightened sense of connectivity, which will surely proceed in suit for Studio Ghibli Fest.
With characters so pure and plots so intricate within breathtaking settings, these films latch on to their viewer's hearts for life. Seeing them on the big screen utterly immerses its audience within the world, mustering heartfelt nostalgia. For those who have not seen any, or all of these films, there is no better time to watch them. Beginning with Studio Ghibli's mascot, “My Neighbor Totoro,” each film explores the good and bad of human nature, embarking on journeys, often with subliminal messages of protecting and respecting the environment, as Totoro does so well.
There's nothing more refreshing than going to the theater to see a movie that isn't just a blockbuster to acquire your money. All cliches are avoided, including the line between good and evil. Just like the world we live in, everyone has their own goals and agenda which can often conflict. That is apart of living life, and each film captures it in a unique way with a flawless balance.
What's more, the relationships between each character are incredibly genuine. Bonds and friendships are created that make you believe that the world can become better. Unlike a typical movie, romance is not vital. Even if it is included in a movie, such as “Howl's Moving Castle,” characters are not defined by it. Plus, is it is effortlessly molded in to the plot and not something forced for the sake of meeting “Hollywood” criteria.
There is no princess to be saved. Female protagonists are brave and fight fearlessly to protect what they believe in. When they face conflict, they rise to become heroines and pave their own destiny. They represent feminism at its finest. Even in 2017, many films fail to represent female characters as role models for young girls to look up to. To put things in perspective, "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" was released in 1984. Let that sink in.
Supposedly, the mastermind of these films, Hayao Miyazaki shall be working on his final film this fall with a tentative release in 2021. His last film was supposed to be "The Wind Rises," so this announcement is bliss to his fans, just as Studio Ghibli Fest is. Miyazaki's work withstands the test of time.
If you have the chance to attend this year's festivities, you will enjoy every minute of it. Take a journey with your favorite characters and don't forget to bring a tissue box.
