The Boy and the Heron – INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
Part of TIFF 2023 Coverage
No plot spoilers are contained within this article.
After more than a decade of being in the works, Hayao Miyazaki’s much anticipated and allegedly not-final film is finally hitting theatres on December 8th, 2023. I had the opportunity to watch the much-anticipated The Boy and the Heron (2023) at the International Premiere at TIFF 2023. As an animation lover but not a diehard Ghibli fanatic, I hope my personal thoughts below will help you in making your decision: “Should I Watch The Boy and the Heron?”
What is it?: The film’s story is about a boy named Mahito Maki, who experiences a tragic loss by the wrath of a village fire. The loss hardens young Mahito as he struggles with nightmares and flashbacks of the tragedy. But after he meets an odd-looking heron in the countryside, the situations he finds himself in start to spiral into what can only be described as visually wondrous and downright bizarre.
What can I expect?:
Is it scary?/Should I bring my kids?: Although currently unrated by the Motion Picture Association, it’s likely The Boy and the Heron will be rated PG, similar to other Ghibli films. Fair warning, if you are bringing any little ones or are easily spooked, there will be disturbing scenes and themes of death. Out of all Studio Ghibli films, The Boy and the Heron ranks among the films with the most violent and creepy imagery (animated blood, weapons, and death) and may be nightmare-inducing. However, mature children will greatly learn and relate to the important themes of loss and growth.
What are the criticisms?: From discussions of The Boy and the Heron (2023) and other Miyazaki films, such as Spirited Away (2001), I noticed that among the praise there is a common criticism of Studio Ghibli movies: that they lack character development in favor of world-building and showcasing visuals. When analyzing this point, indeed, the main character Mahito isn’t a strong character in the sense of personality. From the beginning of the film, Mahito has his walls up, making it easy for audiences to sympathize with him but difficult for audiences to learn his personality. However, is having a guarded
Why have I never heard of this movie?: Notably, the marketing for the Boy and the Heron (2023) has been reliant entirely on word-of-mouth in Japan and seems to be following the same strategy for the International release. In an interview conducted by IndieWire and Junichi Nishioka, he said (through a translator, “What would happen, in these days when there are lots of ads and tie-ups and trailers even before the film is released, what would it be like if we had no promotion…So it was a big risk and a bet that [we] made and thought up. But I think the result shows that we won that bet.” In Japan, only one white poster of a heron was officially released for the film. And internationally, only a short trailer is available for curious information seekers.
Is this Miyazaki’s last film? (And why does it matter?): Speaking at a TIFF red carpet, Junichi Nishioka, VP of Studio Ghibli, said (through a translator), “Other people have said that [The Boy and the Heron] is [Miyazaki’s] last film but [Miyazaki] doesn’t feel that way at all. He is currently working on ideas for a new film…“ Decidedly, the anticlimactic answer to this question is ‘maybe’. Secondly, in the context of 82-year-old Miyazaki’s legacy of filmmaking, the retirement of such an important figure in animation is a notable reason for celebration and reflection. Many view this film as a reflection of Miyazaki’s career and a metaphor for how he has come to terms with his legacy.
Images courtesy of TIFF
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