Legendary director Hayao Miyazaki has had a remarkable career spanning almost four decades leading up to the final entry in his celebrated filmography with The Boy and the Heron. The animated epic is officially set to premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival after already releasing to massive success in Japan.
TIFF's CEO Cameron Bailey remarked how "honored" they were to have the film open up the festival and how “transformative” of an experience it will be for moviegoers:
“We are honored to open the 48th Toronto International Film Festival with the work of one of cinema’s greatest artists... Already acclaimed as a masterpiece in Japan, Hayao Miyazaki’s new film begins as a simple story of loss and love and rises to a staggering work of imagination. I look forward to our audience discovering its mysteries for themselves, but I can promise a singular, transformative experience.”
Although there have been a number of Studio Ghibli’s titles featured at the festival, The Boy and the Heron is the first instance of a Japanese film or an animated title opening up the festival. Studio Ghibli is the animation studio Miyazaki co-founded and the films that have screened at TIFF include Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, From Up on Poppy Hill, The Wind Rises, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya and The Red Turtle.
The Boy and the Heron debuted in Japan in July and achieved a remarkable milestone by generating $13.2 million in its opening weekend, making it the most successful launch in Studio Ghibli's history. Interestingly, the company took a brave approach by releasing the film without any prior promotion, marketing materials or plot details. The only piece of marketing released of it was the poster featuring the titular heron. This decision allowed audiences to experience the film’s narrative without any preconceived expectations.
The Boy and the Heron marks the return of Miyazaki after a ten year hiatus following 2013’s The Wind Rises. His long-awaited comeback brings with it the unfortunate announcement that he will be retiring after this film’s release. Although he had previously declared the same intention a decade ago, viewers will nonetheless have the privilege of witnessing the maestro’s final contribution to his spectacular body of work.
Soma Santoki voices the lead role of Mahito Maki in The Boy and the Heron. Other cast members include Masaki Suda as The Grey Heron, Aimyon as Himi, Yoshino Kimura as Natsuko, Shōhei Hino as the Great-Uncle and Ko Shibasaki as Kiriko.
The Boy and the Heron will premiere at TIFF on September 7, 2023.