A new film focusing on the life and creations of esteemed animator Hayao Miyazaki is poised to make its premiere shortly.
This feature-length documentary, which bears the name Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature, is directed by Léo Favier and investigates the iconic works of Miyazaki, tracing his evolution from early masterpieces like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, through beloved hits such as My Neighbour Totoro, to the more recent The Boy and the Heron. A trailer for the documentary has been made available for viewing.
Miyazaki, a visionary at Studio Ghibli, has always pondered the complex connection between humanity and the environment, an aspect that will play a crucial role in this documentary.
The official synopsis of the film notes that through renowned characters like Totoro and Princess Mononoke, Miyazaki’s storytelling reveals his profound worries regarding the state of the planet, often drawing from his own experiences and reflecting the tumultuous events of the 20th century.
The documentary, Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature, features remarkable snippets from his films alongside commentaries from individuals intimately involved with his work, as well as experts who have studied his creations, illuminating Miyazaki’s significant ecological themes that provoke a reevaluation of our interactions with the Earth and its inhabitants.
Director Léo Favier elaborated on his vision for the documentary, expressing a desire to narrate Miyazaki's life journey. He describes the film as an expansive exploration of the 20th century, where the enchanting realm of animation serves as a personal counterpoint to the challenges of reality.
Favier plans to draw from the knowledge of biologists, philosophers, and anthropologists to analyze the themes present in Miyazaki's creations, with a focus on modern challenges like climate change, declining biodiversity, and global conflicts, thus promoting a reevaluation of our relationship with other life forms.
As the documentary is currently traversing the festival circuit, audiences may need to wait some time for it to be accessible to the general public. However, fans of Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli surely anticipate its release and have proven they can be patient for the works they admire.