The boy and the heron revealed the much-anticipated first trailer earlier today, along with a December 8th theatrical release date for the United States. The film premiered on July 14 in Japan without any promotional material other than a visual teaser. GKIDS, the film’s North American distributor, revealed a teaser video on September 1, with no actual scenes from the film. It’s worth noting that some preview images were released last month.
The international premiere is scheduled for September 7 at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. The European premiere will take place on September 22 at the 71st San Sebastian Festival in Spain, while the American premiere will take place at the 61st New York Film Festival. which will take place from September 29 to October 15.
Miyazaki wrote the screenplay forThe boy and the heron, often hailed as his last film. His longtime collaborator, composer Joe Hisaishi, composed the score. Kenshi Yonezu performed the film’s theme song titled “Spinning Globe”. Voice includes:
- Soma Santokias Mahito
- Masaki Sudaas The Blue Heron/The Heron Man
- Ko Shibasakias Kiriko
- Aimionas Chemistry
- Yoshino Kimuraas Natusko
- Takuya Kimuraas Shoichi
- Shinobu Otakeas Aiko
- Keiko Takeshitaas Izumi
- June Fubukias Utako
- Sawako Agavaas Eriko
- Karen Takizawaas Varawara
- June Kunimuraas The Great Parrot King
- Kaoru Kobayashias The Old Pelican
The film was inspired by Yoshino Genzaburo How do you live? a 1937 novel, but not a direct adaptation. Miyazaki is a fan of the novel for whichBarnes and Nobledescribes the story:
How do you live? it is told in two voices. The first belongs to fifteen-year-old Koper, who after the death of his father must face an inevitable and overwhelming change, including his own betrayal of his best friend. Between episodes of Koper’s emerging story, his uncle writes to him in a journal, sharing knowledge and offering advice on life’s big questions as Koper begins to face them. Over the course of the story, Copper, like his namesake Copernicus, looks up to the stars and uses his discoveries about heaven, earth, and human nature to answer the question of how he will live.
source: GKids YouTube Channel
©2023 Studio Ghibli
