The ICA Screens Ghibli Documentary The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness

The Institute of Contemporary Arts will screen the documentary The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness from November 07th – 13th with no screening on Monday, November 10th. The website shows that the film is screened at either 8:30pm or 8:50pm and tickets can be booked via the page. Here is the description of the film:

This documentary goes behind the scenes of Studio Ghibli, the celebrated animation studio founded by masters Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited AwayMy Neighbour TotoroKiki’s Delivery Service etc.) and Isao Takahata (Grave of the FirefliesPom PokoOnly Yesterday) and gives unprecedented access to both filmmakers as well as producer Toshio Suzuki and the wider Ghibli team as they prepare for their latest films, The Wind Rises (Miyazaki) and The Tale of Princess Kaguya (Takahata).

For lovers of animation, Miyazaki is a near mythic figure, and it’s deeply pleasing to watch him at work – whether leading the office in impromptu stretches, toiling on meticulous drawings or discussing details with his team – as well as listening to his charming interviews: “Am I strange?” he asks. “Sure.”

Released at a point when the future of Ghibli looks at best uncertain (in August 2014 the studio announced they would temporarily halt production and restructure following Miyazaki’s retirement) this is a timely and engrossing study of the studio behind some of contemporary animation’s most singular masterpieces.

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness, dir. Mami Sunada, Japan 2013, 118 mins.

genkinahito

I'm a long-time anime and Japanese film and culture fan who has lived in the country and is studying Japanese in an effort to become fluent. I write about films, anime, and work on various things.

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