Although it’s causing something of a storm in Japan, where wartime matters are still controversial, “The Wind Rises,” the latest film from animation legend Hayao Miyazaki (read our review) is already a huge critical and commercial hit, as is par for the course for the great director (if case you hadn’t heard, he’s retiring). His son, Goro Miyazaki, has always been given a much rougher ride with Japanese audiences, often laboring in the shadow of his illustrious father. “From Up on Poppy Hill” marked a serious turning point though, picking up a slew of good reviews in Japan, the U.S. and Europe, as well as a healthy box-office take and the Animation of the Year award at the Japan Academy Prize (the Japanese Oscars.)
The American version is coming to Blu-Ray and DVD this month with a sterling voice cast, including Gillian Anderson, Beau Bridges, Jamie Lee Curtis, Bruce Dern, Christina Hendricks, Ron Howard, Chris Noth, Emily Osment, Aubrey Plaza, Charlie Saxton, Alex Wolff and Anton Yelchin amongst others. Regular Ghibli collaborators GKIDS have teamed up with Cinedigm for the release and we managed to nab five copies from them to give away. Here’s the lowdown:
“The stunning, hand-drawn ‘From up on Poppy Hill’ is set in Yokohama in 1963, as Japan is picking itself up from the devastation of World War II and preparing to host the Olympics. Against this backdrop of hope and change, a friendship begins to blossom between high school students Umi and Shun — but a buried secret from their past emerges to cast a shadow on the future and pull them apart.”
It’s a pretty stuffed package too, with a whole bunch of extras, including the original Japanese language and English language versions with subtitles and dubtitles, essential additions for any Ghibli aficionados. Bonuses exclusive to the Blu-ray edition also include a staff speech and press conference by Hayao Miyazaki days after the Fukushima earthquake; and a 20-page booklet containing the original project proposal by Hayao Miyazaki and a letter from Goro Miyazaki.
The movie will be out on DVD/Blu-ray and cable VOD today (September 3) and we’ve got some copies for you. Want to grab one? Email us with your name and address and tell us who your all-time favorite Ghibli character is.
Update: Contest closed, winners will be contacted via email.
