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STUDIO GHIBLI
Japanese Animation at Barbican Screen

As part of JAPAN 2001 Barbican Screen is exclusively presenting the
first-ever complete retrospective, in this country, of the animated films of
the world famous STUDIO GHIBLI.  From the half-term weekend of 25 October
2001 and the following four weekends, eleven unique and delightful
feature-length films created by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, will be
shown at Barbican Screen.

Founded in Japan in 1984 by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, STUDIO GHIBLI
has become one of the foremost producers of feature-length animated films in
the world.  Ghibli, an Italian word for a strong Sahara wind, describes the
effect this small but potent studio has had on Japanese culture.   Its films
have consistently been cited by Japanese critics and are frequently the most
popular films in their year of release.  The animated epic PRINCESS MONONOKO
(1997) was the biggest Box Office success ever in Japanese history - beating
both home produced and foreign fare.  PRINCESS MONONOKO together with POCO
ROSSO and POM POKO are on Japan's all-time top 20 domestic box-office lists,
which includes both live action and animated films.

Miyazaki (born 1941) has drawn manga (cartoon narrative publications) and
made anime (animated films) for all his professional life.  He met Takahata
(born 1935) in the animation department of Toei Studios where they both
worked.  In 1984 Takahata produced an animated feature NAUSICAA OF THE
VALLEY OF THE WIND directed by Miyazaki.   Following its huge success STUDIO
GHIBLI was formed and has since produced eleven remarkable animated feature
films all of which are showing in this complete retrospective.

Loved by children and adults alike Ghibli's animated films are uncommonly
intense.  The fluid, lush and striking animation creates imaginative
universes that are rich in detail.  The 2-D characters have 3-D
sensibilities, emotional responses and characteristics which, combined with
the beauty of the animation, makes the films of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao
Takahata celebrated and cherished by fans the world over.

The Studio Ghibli retrospective showing exclusively at BARBICAN SCREEN from
25 October 2001:
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984); Castle in the Sky (1986); Grave
of the Fireflies (1988); My Neighbour Totoro (1988); Kiki' Delivery Service
(1989); Only Yesterday (1991); Porco Rosso (1992); Pom Poko (1994); Whisper
of the Heart (1995); Princess Mononoke (1997); My Neighbours the Yamadas
(1999)

For more information on Studio Ghibli see www.nausiccaa.net