A cinematic treat! For the first time, Studio Ghibli’s beloved films debuted outside of Japan at the Cannes Film Festival. Here’s all the scoop!
Studio Ghibli, a creation of Hayao Miyazaki’s dreams
My Neighbour Totoro premieres, One of Studio Ghibli’s most renowned children’s movies, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is My Neighbor Totoro. This character, Totoro, is a globally famous animation symbol. The film centres on Satsuki and Mei, two young sisters. Following the death of their mother, they start living in the rural areas of Japan. They meet the mysterious charcoal sprites that live in their new home’s attic shortly after moving in. Later on, they become friends with Totoro. He is a big mountain spirit. Totoro and his four-legged friend Catbus are among the forest spirits with whom Satsuki and Mei have wacky encounters.
Premiere of “Mei and the Baby Cat Bus”
In July 1990, the movie premiered in North America. These films are screened outside the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Japan, except for Mei and the Baby Cat Bus, for the first time.
Tickets are on sale now for Studio Ghibli Fest 2024! ✨
We’re bringing an incredible 14 films back to the big screen, including anniversary shows for HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE, KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE, POM POKO & more.https://t.co/Be84PFRe6T pic.twitter.com/pI23ijQ2D0
— GKIDS Films (@GKIDSfilms) March 21, 2024
It was recently revealed that Studio Ghibli received four special awards at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, in appreciation for their outstanding work. This is certainly the most wonderful news for all Ghibli lovers. But to amuse us more, Studio Ghibli announced that the sequel to one of the most adored Ghibli films worldwide, My Neighbour Totoro will be released. The fact that it was never even streamed outside of Japan is what has many curious.
Award-winning celebrations of the studio
Each of the four films presented has an original plot, and screenplay, and is directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Joe Hisaishi won all of the music awards at the Oscars. Fans of Ghibli were able to view some of the studio’s earliest collaborations when Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Castle in the Sky reopened in theatres the following week. While spectators at Cannes were able to witness some of their rarest collaborations. The yearly Ghibli Fest is still going strong, having last month revealed the dates of all Ghibli movie re-releases in theatres, My Neighbour Totoro premieres.
Storyline of the movie
“Mei is eating caramel on a windy day when suddenly, a whirlwind appears and starts chasing her.” The unusual My Neighbor Totoro sequel officially started like this. Other Cannes screenings were Boro the Caterpillar, Mr Dough and the Egg Princess, House Hunting, and Mei and the Baby Cat Bus. It turns out that the whirlwind is a Kittenbus. After Mei gives the kitten a caramel, they start to get along. The kitty visits Mei that evening. Once Mei climbs aboard, it takes off into the sky and heads toward the ghostly night-time forest. Small and large cat-buses congregate together as well. Mei meets in the forest with someone unexpected.
[…] Yuki Nagano as Ruri, Natsue Sasamoto as Menow, and Takashi Narumi as Kiriko in Tasokare Hotel. The anime will be helmed by Kosuke Kuremizu at PRA Studios, with character and costume design by Yuko Hariba. Hariba is also one of the chief animation […]