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Two New Studio Ghibli Projects in the Works By Its Two Co-Founders

by Alex Billington
September 4, 2011
Source: AnimeNewsNetwork

Yay, more Studio Ghibli films! As always, we usually hear minor details about their new projects, but have to wait years until they make their way across the Pacific. AnimeNewsNetwork is reporting that Studio Ghibli's two co-founders, Isao Takahata (director of Grave of the Fireflies, The Raccoon War, My Neighbors the Yamadas) and the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, are both at work on new projects. Takahata hasn't directed a feature since 1999, but is now working on a project based on the classic Japanese folktale Taketori Monogatari (The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter). Miyazaki has his own interesting new film in development.

The updates on these projects come straight from co-founder Isao Takahata himself, who was speaking at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo. Takahata's new project, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, has been rumored for a while, but is confirmed to be in the works, although "it may be about two more years before" it's ready. The film will be in the style of the classical Japanese scroll Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga. The 10th century tale, "known by virtually every Japanese child," is about around a princess named Kaguya who was discovered as a baby inside the stalk of a glowing bamboo plant. It sounds charming and very fun already.

As for Miyazaki, he's already working on Porco Rosso: The Last Sortie at the moment, the sequel to their 1992 film Porco Rosso, but apparently also has an "autobiography" project in the works next. Before everyone gets too excited about seeing an autobiography about Miyazaki himself, ANN says "Suzuki's vague phrasing in Japanese did not indicate if the work is Miyazaki's own autobiography, or an adaptation of another person's autobiography." Just making sure things aren't lost in translation and that no one assumes this is going to be all about Miyazaki's life, although that autobiography would be incredible to see one day.

Studio Ghibli recently finished Arrietty, also known as The Borrowers, and also has From Up On Poppy Hill (known as Kokuriko-zaka kara, directed by Goro Miyazaki), which will be premiering at the Toronto Film Festival this month. As I'm a huge Ghibli/Miyazaki fan myself, I always keep an eye out for their latest projects, we'll keep you updated. Which upcoming Studio Ghibli film are you most excited about?

Filed under Foreign Film, Hype, Movie News

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