Offering all 22 Studio Ghibli films to cinema screens across Australia and New Zealand, Australian anime publisher Madman Entertainment have announced the ‘Celebrate Stuido Ghibli’ program, set to take place from August 24 until September 20. Taking place across 28 days, this is designed to be a “celebration of the complete theatrical works, and more” from the acclaimed animation studio. Expect to see all 22 of the studios works on offer, in addition to documentaries and more.
While you can pick these films up on DVD and/or Blu-ray from your local video store, this could be your last chance in many years (if ever) to see these films offered on the big screen again.
Studio Ghibli’s most iconic and acclaimed works such as My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle will be on offer, in addition to their wider line-up of (in my opinion, mostly great works) including Whisper of the Heart, The Cat Returns and Only Yesterday. Other films such as Ocean Waves will be receiving their Australian cinematic review. While this may differ from cinema to cinema, English and Japanese audio variants of at least some films will be offered where available.
Want to learn more about the films you are watching? The Celebrate Studio Ghibli line-up will also offer documentaries and other features, including The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness, Isao Takahata and his Tale of the Princess Kaguya, the seldom seen Ghiblies Episode 2 (2002) short film and On Your Mark (1995) – the animated music video for Japanese rock duo Chage & Aska which was directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
Madman Entertainment will be hosting opening night events for Celebrate Studio Ghibli which will include a screening of Ghiblies Episode 2 and On Your Mark prior to My Neighbor Totoro. Attendees to these sessions will also receive an exclusive commemorative ‘Celebrate Studio Ghibli’ A1 print, designed by Australian artist, writer and filmmaker, Shaun Tan. More details on the opening night event locations and tickets are set to be confirmed at a later date.
For more information on cinema locations and times in your area, visit the official Celebrate Studio Ghibli website.
