When you take a look at the animated film rankings, there is always one name that remains constant: Hayao Miyazaki. The Japanese creator, founder of the iconic Studio Ghibli, has given the seventh art such renowned titles as 'Ponyo on the Cliff', 'My Neighbor Totoro' or 'Spirited Away'. In fact, now, next September, Hayao Miyazaki will open the San Sebastian Festival with 'The Boy and The Heron', his new film, released in Japan on July 14.
In this adventure, we will follow the psychological process of a teenage boy, Mahito Maki, through the bonds he will establish with his friends, his uncle and a talking heron. 'The Boy and the Heron,' is based on the 1937 novel of the same name written by Genzaburo Yoshino. In the images we have seen of the film, we can see the Studio's usual aesthetics: vibrant characters, spaces that verge on the dreamlike (or spiritual, in many cases), and the use of traditional animation techniques that allow an exceptional level of detail and textures in each shot.
Indeed, the soundtrack that will accompany Miyazaki's new title is composed by one of the Studio's great musical collaborators: Joe Hisaishi. In addition, there will be an original song by Kenshi Yonezu. Hisaishi has composed the accompaniments for more than 100 audiovisual pieces. Among them we can find: 'The Wind Rises' (Hayao Miyazaki, 2013), 'The Tale of Princess Kaguya' (Isao Takahata, 2013), 'Ponyo on the Cliff (Hayao Miyazaki, 2008) or 'The Walking Castle' (H. Miyazaki, 2004).
The Boy and The Heron does not yet have an exact release date, but will hit U.S. theaters later this year.