Hayao Miyazaki’s Latest Film “The Boy and the Heron” Received Golden Globe Nominations
Image Source: Future of the Force
Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli created history this Tuesday when they made their debut at the Golden Globes with their latest animated motion picture, “The Boy and the Heron.” The film managed to secure two nominations at the Globes in the Best Animation Film and Best Original Score categories.
“The Boy and the Heron” managed to collect $56 million in Japan despite zero promotion. Studio Ghibli opted to release this film without any production stills, trailers, ads, or billboards. The film’s U.S. and Canadian release included conventional advertising and was released in 2,205 theaters this weekend. However, over the weekend, it grossed about $13 million and became Hayao Miyazaki’s first film to top the North American box office. The film managed to achieve this feat despite Miyazaki’s previous films having very limited releases in North America.
“The Boy and the Heron” has been recognized as one of the best films of this year. The film’s English cast features the voices of Robert Pattinson, Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, and Mark Hamill.
The makers have described it as a “big fantastical film” that follows the journey of a 12-year-old boy named Mahito who struggles to adapt to his daily life after his mother’s death. However, one day, a talking heron approaches him and informs him that his mother is still alive. Mahito follows that bird in search of his mother and enters an abandoned tower, only to be transported to another world.
This film also marks Miyazaki’s return to filmmaking after he announced his retirement in 2013. Studio Ghibli, in a statement, said that it took seven years to complete this project. The film was expected to be Miyazaki’s last theatrical venture. However, Junichi Nishioka, the vice president of Studio Ghibli, revealed at the premiere of “The Boy and the Heron” at the Toronto International Film Festival that Miyazaki has started working on another film.
Miyazaki’s movies have been popular in Japan and across Asia for quite a while. His 2001 masterpiece film “Spirited Away” was the highest-grossing film in Japanese history for 19 years and even won the 2003 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. He is regarded by many as one of the world’s greatest animators, with his films having shaped the animation industry. His other hits include films like The Wind Rises (2013), Princess Mononoke (1997), Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), Ponyo (2008), and many more.
However, the return of Miyazaki after 7 years and the Golden Globes’ acknowledgment of his craft add a new milestone for director Hayao Miyazaki. This would be his first-ever nomination for a Golden Globe, adding a new chapter to his amazing career. The film’s nomination once again confirmed Studio Ghibli’s renowned cinematic legacy.
The film faces strong contenders such as Suzume and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in the Best Animation Film category. In the Best Original Score category, it will be competing again with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and also Oppenheimer.
While the competition is fierce, the positive reception of “The Boy and the Heron” in the United States is making fans hopeful to see Studio Ghibli’s latest masterpiece add another accolade to the studio’s illustrious collection. Fans are now also hopeful that the film will soon receive an Oscar nomination list after the Golden Globe nominations.
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