Sam’s Take: The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness
Known for animated classics like “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro,” Japanese filmmakers Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli have been making critically acclaimed movies for more than 30 years. While their films are popular for their beautiful animation and endearing imagination, not much is known about the production behind their work.
The documentary “The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness”, directed by Mami Sunada, aims to shed some light on how filmmaking is done at Studio Ghibli, while also highlighting key players within the company.
The film begins with the production of the studio’s 2013 releases “The Wind Rises” and “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya,” portraying the daily activities of the employees and the decisions made to create these projects.
As a fan of Miyazaki’s films, especially “Spirited Away,” being a fly on the wall of the goings-on of Studio Ghibli is interesting. Seeing the process of animating on traditional cells while also getting individual insights on the situation makes the documentary endlessly fascinating.
“The Wind Rises” and “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” were in development for years before their release, and there’s a constant tension that can be felt throughout the film from the studio heads simply trying to get these films released in a timely manner.
While this one aspect of the film is engaging by itself, it becomes apparent early on that the focus of this documentary is Miyazaki himself, with the filmmakers trying to see what makes him tick. It follows his work schedule, his home life and how his perfectionist methods make many of his productions a nightmare to work on.
I greatly appreciated how the film is unafraid to show the more negative sides of Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli itself. The man may be a genius, but he’s often frustrating and scary to work with.
Luckily, Miyazaki is an enigma worth exploring, spouting off philosophy and ideals that peel off tiny layers of his personality. While the film may be slow for those unacquainted with Miyazaki and Ghibli, it will be a treat for fans of the studio’s work who want to get an inside look at the difficulties that go into making the on-screen-magic.
For those who love Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki, or are just film buffs wanting to see what the animation process is like.
Samuel Goodrich, Contributing Writer
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