Miyazaki, Howl, and Matters of the Heart

At the end of Hayao Miyazaki’s visually stunning “Howl’s Moving Castle,” the titular Howl bemoans a sudden ache in his chest. The protagonist, Sophie, succinct yet joyful, replies, “A heart’s a heavy burden.” The poignancy of the line demonstrates Miyazaki’s ability to enchant viewers with staggering artistry and spellbinding narratives that both whisk us away…

Flow Director Gints Zilbalodis on Animating Animals, Allegories, and Cinema vs. Videogames

Latvian animator Gints Zilbalodis’ new wordless animation Flow looks to provide an alternative this holiday season (and awards season) to audiences seeking family fare without the chattiness and slapstick typically associated with the medium. Already a festival darling and possible Oscar contender, Zilbalodis’ film uses wide-angle compositions of lush saturated colors with naturalistic lighting and…