August 18, 2007 Miyazaki/JAL Collaboration, "Ponyo" Theme Song
Last month Studio Ghibli and JAL (Japan Airlines) announced the project "Sora wo Tobu" (Fly the Skies). A 30 second trailer (Windows Media)
The project consists of several parts:
* A Japanese elementary school student's picture chosen by Studio Ghibli will be painted on a JAL's Boeing 787 with Miyazaki's picture of a flying machine. This special 787 will fly in during the autumn of 2008.
* Porco Rosso will be screened next month on some of JAL's international flights.
* JAL will show Miyazaki's short film "Kuso no Sora Tobu Kikai-tachi" (Fancy Flying Machines) for the first time outside of the Studio Ghibli Museum. Miyazaki handles all of the narration and voices. The music is excerpted from Castle in the Sky.
* Miyazaki's all-color manga Kuuchuu de oshokuji (Meals in Midair) which was drawn for JAL's in-flight magazine in 1994 will be re-released.
According to a Joe Hisaishi's column in Studio Ghibli's monthly magazine “Neppu”, Miyazaki orders for the Ponyo's theme song were, "Please make a song which all generations can sing." Hisaishi immediately hit on a melody like when he hit Totoro's song. It repeats itself "Po-nyo Po-nyo Ponyo" like Totoro. Miyazaki and Suzuki liked it. The words of the theme song are from Katsuya Kondo with assistance from Miyazaki. Kondo created it by singing many times every day in front of Miyazaki. Recording of the song is already finished but the singer remains unknown.
Thanks to T. Ishikawa for the news.
August 16, 2007 "Tales from Earthsea" In Australia and Germany
The film opens in German theaters (under the title "Die Chroniken von Erdsee") November 8.
In Australia a 2-disc DVD set will be released on September 12 by Madman.
Thanks to Daniel Schirmer and Andrew B for the news.
August 13, 2007 Interview with Italian Dub Director
GhibliWorld brings a lengthy interview with Gualtiero Cannarsi, responsible for many of the Italian dubs as a scriptwriter and dubbing director.
Thanks to Peter van der Lugt for the news.
August 4, 2007 Updated List of "Tales from Earthsea" UK Showings
The official UK site has been updated with a larger list of cinemas and also shows the theaters screening the subtitled version.
Thanks to Jordan Scott for the news.