À During his trip to the Cannes Film Festival, director Gorō Miyazaki reported the sad observation that his father, Hayao Miyazaki, made Japanese animation. Whether we agree with him or not, the words of the absolute master of this art still have weight!
Hayao Miyazaki puts a nail in the coffin of Japanese animation?
This Monday, May 20, the Cannes Film Festival rewarded the legendary Studio Ghibli with an honorary Palme d'Or. A reward how much deserved, given the importance that the feature films of Hayao Miyazaki and the late Miyazaki have had. Isao Takahata on animated cinema! Sent by his father and the historic CEO of the studio, Toshio Suzuki, Gorō Miyazaki did not come empty-handed: he brought something. in his suitcases four short films by his father never before broadcast outside of Japan, as well as a video including a truly hilarious message from Hayao Miyazaki.
Obviously, this reward was a success. the opportunity for Gorō Miyazaki to respond to some interviews with the French press. À our colleagues from20 Minutes, the director ofTales from EarthseaandPoppy Hill thus expressed her father's feelings regarding the future of Japanese animation.
He believes that the golden age of Japanese animation has passed. and that there is not much new left.
An observation that is gloomy to say the least on the part of Hayao Miyazaki, but which illustrates the difficult question of his succession within Studio Ghibli. Some spectators might also respond that a new generation of talented filmmakers is evolving outside of Studio Ghibli, outside of Studio Ghibli. like star Makoto Shinkai, whose every film since Your Name. has been a global event, like his last feature film,Suzume. We can also mention the excellentThe First Slam Dunkfrom the legendary mangaka Takehiko Inoue, with its magnificent mix of 2D/3D animation.
If according to Gorō Miyazaki, his father “has the impression that this reward symbolizes the end of his career”, he confirms half-word thatHayao Miyazaki is working on his thirteenth animated film, after the triumph ofThe Boy and the Heron, whose poetic force touched many spectators in 2023. “Everything is really foggy about the future of the studio. And I don't really know. But I think my dad has ideas for a new feature film. /em>” We will, however, undoubtedly have to wait several years before we can discover it in theaters!