The Boy and the Heron: Hayao Miyazaki’s sublime testamentary work

The boy and the heron : Miyazaki’s strong themes

Hayao Miyazaki regularly talks about magical worlds, alternative realities, ecology, but also war, rebellions and even aviation. For The boy and the heronwhich appears to be his testamentary film, the director reuses themes from his magnificent career. From the beginning, through a fire scene visually impressivewhich borrows aesthetic elements from manga, war and destruction they come directly to interfere in the life of our young protagonist, Mahito.

The disappearance of his mother then forces him to live with his father and aunt. A change in his daily life that will push him towards a fantasy research, disturbing and introspective looking for his late mother. Hayao Miyazaki then takes his character to a world behind the world, a universe between universes where he will learn to know himself and make peace with his painful past.

As always with Miyazaki, the hero has a guide. Here, he is not the dark and mysterious creature of Enchanted (2002), but a terrible heron, half man and half bird, provocative and distressing. Thus is born an almost toxic relationship between the two characters, the boy who exploits the heron’s information, and the second who takes Mahito on a boat. like a feathered Gollum.

The boy and the heron thus summarizes the themes of its author. Once again ecology is at the center of the issue, through a generous world, where nature dictates its laws. He regained his rights, and the human being is a danger to be expiated. The parallel between a contemporary world threatened by pollution and global warming and an imaginary universe hanging by a thread – more precisely by a stone, as the great sage of this world explains – is evident.

The concept of inheritance

The boy and the heron also addresses the concept of inheritance and delivery. Mahito is therefore in the position of successor, heir to a world adrift. A world for which he has a new responsibility. A world that must improve, modify, correct, embellish and develop. The boy is therefore the voice of a new generation that recovers a world in difficulty, forced to correct the mistakes of his ancestors.

In this Hayao Miyazaki also addresses his heirs directly. His hero will have to make a choice: stay in the magical world or face reality. A way for Miyazaki to talk about the weight of the legacy of his career. The weight of a unique and timeless filmography, of which we will also have to take back the reins. At 82, Hayao Miyazaki will obviously be retiring soon (really). And Studio Ghibli? His son has already attempted this task with several films, but what will become of the filmmaker’s work in the hands of his successors? Without forgetting the director’s desire to dedicate the film to his grandson with the message “The grandfather leaves soon for the other world, but he leaves this film behind” (via IGN).

Questions that are addressed subtly The boy and the heronwith the character of the great sage, clear personification of the director himself. A character who is retiring and who offers the new generation a fragile but sublime work. Mahito must therefore face the weight of this legacy. He decides to take the helm of an imaginary artistic world, or stay in a less magical reality, but which is also important to save.

A stunning and inspired aesthetic

As always with Studios Ghibli, The boy and the heron and also an aesthetic slap. Surely one of the finest films in the studio’s history, the feature film takes its audience to radiant landscapes, to meet already iconic characters. Hayao Miyazaki doesn’t forget to bring some welcome touches of humor to a very serious story thanks to this army of dumb and clumsy, often hilarious parakeets.

It’s also hard to miss the influence of The king and the bird. Conscious or not, the imprint of Paul Grimault’s classic is omnipresent. The figure of the child who seeks his place in the medieval world, the opposition of the individual to the masses, to the soldiers, to repression and obviously the presence of a ferocious and manipulative bird these are just the most striking examples. We can also find some similarities with the first segment of Memories, where characters wander hypnotic corridors in search of a chimera that will cause their downfall.

In any case, The boy and the heron it’s a peak work of its author’s career. A sublime and touching proposal, which unifies the themes and passions of Hayao Miyazaki. A perfect film to understand his 50 years of cinema.

The boy and the heron by Hayao Miyazaki, in theaters from November 1, 2023. Above is the trailer. You can find all our videos here.

Source: Cine Serie

Ray

Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.