The Healing Power of The Boy and the Heron: Studio Ghibli co-founder's Golden Globes win brings hope and solace to Japan
Studio Ghibli co-founder's Golden Globe win brings hope and smiles to Japan amidst the aftermath of consecutive tragedies
Studio Ghibli's co-founder, Toshio Suzuki, expressed his hope that the studio's historic Golden Globe win would bring a small smile to the country in the wake of two consecutive tragedies. He made this statement in a post-ceremony statement on X following the award ceremony in Los Angeles on Monday, where "The Boy and the Heron" directed by Hayao Miyazaki, won the best animated feature award.
"This is the first Golden Globe awarded to a Studio Ghibli film and it is a very special feeling," Suzuki said in the statement.
Hayao Miyazaki's first feature film in 10 years, The Boy and the Heron is a hand-drawn, original story written and directed by the Academy Award-winning director.
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"I hope the bright news of winning such an award can bring a smile to everyones face, even if only a little."
Japan has experienced a series of back-to-back disasters this year, starting with a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake on January 1, followed shortly after by a tragic plane collision that resulted in the deaths of five individuals and the urgent evacuation of hundreds. As of now, the death toll from the earthquakes has exceeded 200, and over 100 individuals are still unaccounted for.
Suzuki expressed a deep despair upon hearing about the many people still waiting for rescue in the disaster areas. None of the filmmakers, including Miyazaki, attended the ceremony in Los Angeles on Monday to accept the award.
Suzuki's daughter Mamiko shared a video online of the heartwarming moment her father learned of his win, which quickly went viral with fans sending their congratulations. In the video, Suzuki, dressed in trackpants and barefoot, enters a room and watches a live broadcast of the ceremony on TV, eagerly asking those around him, "Did it win?"
Hayao Miyazaki at the opening of 'Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea' in 2008.
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Oscar chance
Miyazaki emerged from retirement to create the film, marking the final chapter of the 83-year-old's renowned career. The movie follows a young boy who relocates to the Japanese countryside following the tragic loss of his mother in a hospital fire, where he encounters a mystical grey heron. Drawing inspiration from Miyazaki's own childhood, the film delves into themes of grief and hope in a world defined by turmoil and sorrow.
The film made its debut in Japan in June and achieved worldwide success by topping the North American box office, raking in nearly $13 million during its opening weekend. An English dubbed edition showcased the talents of top Hollywood actors such as Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson, and Mark Hamill.
The Boy and the Heron.
IMDB
Hayao Miyazaki achieves first North American box office success with "The Boy and the Heron," surpassing Disney Pixar's "Elemental" and Marvel's "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" in the Best Animation category.
The Golden Globes are often a precursor to the highly esteemed Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars. Both industry experts and fans are now eagerly anticipating a potential Oscar win in March, which would be the second for Miyazaki following the success of the Ghibli classic "Spirited Away."
According to Roland Kelts, the author of "JapanAmerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the US," Studio Ghibli's win at the Golden Globes "bodes very well" for a second Miyazaki Oscar victory in March. Kelts noted, "Firstly, there's Miyazaki's age and the possibility that this is his final film."
He continues, "In terms of artistry, the closest competitor, Spiderman: Across the Spider-Verse, is a sequel, whereas The Boy and the Heron is incredibly original and inventive, making it mind-bendingly difficult to follow." Reporting from Tokyo contributed by Saki Toi.
