If you've ever been into any Lower Mainland mall or walked around Chinatown for any amount of time there's no way you haven't seen one of these plush dolls pictured below. Since its creation in 1988 the iconic Totoro character has been reproduced and merchandised officially and unofficially (COUGH - "NO PHOTOS IN OUR STORE PLEASE" - COUGH) for over two decades partly because it's just so darned cute but also because the animated feature brings us directly back into the wonder of childhood. The film My Neighbour Totoro is really something magical.
The character has captured the heart of my own family so much that I got a custom TOTORO CAKE crafted for my wife by a local cakemaker a couple of years back, and we've introduced the animated feature to our son who absolutely loves watching it. I was so happy this week to receive word that The Cinematheque and the Vancity Theatre are co-hosting a major retrospective of films produced by Totoro's creators, Studio Ghibli of Japan! The fact that there are many other films beyond the beloved film My Neighbour Totoro adds to the awesomeness that all of the screenings are ALL AGES so everyone can bring their kids! I would warn against a couple of the screenings though, as it's not all puppydogs, rainbows and Totoros; there's some darker characters and themes at work in some of the works.
The full schedule for the showing at The Cinematheque are below this trailer for My Neighbour Totoro. See you there!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuLX50_5UAI
Castles in the Sky: Miyazaki, Takahata, and the Masters of Studio Ghibli runs from December 7th until January 3rd.
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
Two young girls move with their father to a house in the country while their mother is in hospital. They soon discover that the surrounding forests are home to a family of Totoros, gentle but powerful creatures who live in an ancient camphor tree and are seen only by children.
Princess Mononoke (1997)
While defending his village from a demonic boar-god, a young warrior is afflicted with a curse that grants him super-human power but will eventually prove fatal. In search of a cure, he journeys deep into the sacred Great Forest, where he meets San, a young girl raised by wolf-gods.
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
A shy teenage girl meets a handsome and mysterious wizard, but is transformed into an old woman by a jealous witch. Embarking on an incredible adventure to lift the curse, she finds refuge in a magical moving castle, and soon finds herself fighting to protect both the wizard and herself from a dangerous, destructive war of sorcery that imperils their world.
Spirited Away (2001)
Wandering through an abandoned carnival site, a young girl stumbles into a dream-like spirit world, where a tyrannical witch puts her to work in a strange bathouse for the gods. Encountering a vast menagerie of characters, she must find the strength and smarts to escape her surroundings and return to her family.
Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Young, aspiring writer Shizuku discovers that the name Seiji appears before hers on the checkout card of each book she has been reading. Through a series of unlikely and magical incidents, she comes to meet and establish a connection with Seiji, a boy who dreams of becoming a famous violin maker in Italy.
The Cat Returns (2002)
A schoolgirl saves the life of an unusual cat, and suddenly her world is transformed beyond anything she ever imagined. The Cat King rewards her good deed with a flurry of presents, including a very shocking proposal of marriage to his son! She embarks on a journey to the Kingdom of Cats, where her eyes are opened to a whole other world and her destiny is uncertain.
Pom Poko (1994)
The construction of a huge new Tokyo suburb threatens the forest home of a group of magical raccoon dogs, who embark on a guerrilla campaign to haunt the construction site. Their efforts culminate in a spectacular night-time spirit parade, with thousands of ghosts, dragons, and other magical creatures descending on the city.
Porco Rosso (1992)
Set between the World Wars, the film follows bounty hunter Marco, a world-weary flying ace cursed with the head of a pig. He meets an innocent, energetic 17-year-old girl who aspires to be an airplane designer, and the two are catapulted into high-flying conflict involving air pirates, the Italian army, and an egotistical American flying ace.
Only Yesterday (1991)
Rare, never released in North America! Bored twentysomething Taeko, realizing she's at a crossroads in her life, heads for the countryside. The trip dredges up forgotten childhood memories which unfold in flashback, and Taeko wonders if she has been true to the dreams of her childhood self.
My Neighbours the Yamadas (1999)
With visual design unlike anything else from Studio Ghibli, the film — illustrated in a series of rough sketches and outlines, filled with soft colors that evoke watercolour painting — follows the irresponsible, slovenly, and lazy Yamada family and their unassuming way of life.
For Vancity Theatre screenings, please check their website.
