Studio Ghibli Forever’ includes nine films and screens in QUAD from 17th June to 18th August.
 Princess Mononoke (PG) screening from Friday 17th – Sunday 19th June
Princess Mononoke, one of the first films to break Studio Ghibli to the UK, and is the tale of a confident warrior Ashitaka who is struck by a deadly curse. To lift the curse and save his life he must travel to the western forest where a fierce battle is waging between the humans and the forest. Lady Eboshi and her clan uses their guns against the gods of the forest. Princess Mononoke a young woman raised by a wolf-god, maybe the only one that can stem the bloodshed.
Spirited Away (PG) screening from Friday 24th – Thursday 30th June
Spirited Away is a classic in the world of animation the most successful Japanese film of all time. Chihiro, is a headstrong ten-year-old girl, unhappy that her family are moving house and that she will have to make new friends. As they make their way to their new home, Chihiro’s father takes them on a detour to explore a mysterious tunnel in the woods. On the other side is what seems to be a deserted theme park. Unwittingly they have strayed into the Land of the Spirits, a world inhabited by ancient gods and magical beings, ruled over by sorceress Yubaba. With her parents held captive, Chihiro must survive and with the help of Haku, a brave young spirit, overcome her fears and rescue her family.
When Marnie Was There (U) screening from Friday 1st – Thursday 7th July
When Marnie Was There, the newest feature from Studio Ghibli, is a sweeping story of friendship, mystery and discovery based on the novel by Joan G. Robinson and directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi. When shy, artistic Anna moves to the seaside to live with her aunt and uncle, she stumbles upon an old mansion surrounded by marshes, and the mysterious young girl, Marnie, who lives there. The two girls instantly form a unique connection and friendship that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality. As the days go by, a nearly magnetic pull draws Anna back to the Marsh House again and again, and she begins to piece together the truth surrounding her strange new friend
Howl’s Moving Castle (PG) screening from Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd July
Howl’s Moving Castle (Haruru No Ugoku Shiro) is based on the novel by English writer Diana Wynne Jones. Sophie is an ordinary girl who works in a hat shop, but one day she is swept off her feet by the mysterious wizard Howl, and is then turned into a 90-year old woman by the evil Witch of the Waste! In order to lift the curse, Sophie travels with Howl aboard his floating castle, as he risks his life to bring peace to a warring kingdom.
Ponyo (U) screening from Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th July
Ponyo is delightful storytelling about the daughter of the king of the ocean and no ordinary goldfish – she has all the magic of the ocean at her disposal. When five-year old Sosuke finds her near his seaside home, a special connection sparks between the two children and Ponyo becomes determined to become a human. Transforming into a little girl, she shows up at Sosuke’s doorstop, delighted to make herself at home with her new land-dwelling family. However her magical powers begin setting the mystical balance of the world off kilter, and it will take all the powers of the ocean to make things right again.
The Wind Rises (PG) screening from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th July
The Wind Rises (Kaze Tachinu) was announced as director Miyazaki’s final film, in an illustrious career which has often featured his love of aviation. The Wind Rises is the tale of Jiro Horikoshi, designer of the Japanese fighter planes during World War II. Chronicling his life from key historical events to more personal loves and friendships in a moving and beautiful masterpiece.
Princess Kaguya (PG) screening from Saturday 23rd – Thursday 28th July
Princess Kaguya (Kaguyahime No Monogatari) is an enchanting animation based upon one of Japan’s most famous folktales, ‘The Tale Of The Bamboo Cutter’. An old bamboo cutter happens upon a tiny girl the size of his thumb. Taking her home to his wife, the couple raise the girl as their own. Her great beauty enthrals all who encounter her, leading the Emperor himself to try and win her heart. But the Princess has no interest and day by day her desire to return to the world from which she came grows stronger.
Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind (PG) screening from Friday 29th July – Thursday 4th August
Nausicca Of The Valley Of The Wind (Kaze No Tani No Naushika) was Miyazaki’s first film under the Studio Ghibli umbrella. It is an adaptation of his manga story, set in the distant future after human civilisation has been wiped out in a global war known as the ‘Seven Days Of Fire’. In the isolated Valley Of The Wind, Princess Nausicaa rules over a small group of survivors, the valley bordered on all sides by a toxic jungle guarded by monstrous insect creatures. This equilibrium is about to be disturbed though, as a new struggle for earthly domination threatens to unfold.
Laputa Castle In The Sky (PG) screening from Friday 5th – Thursday 11th August
Laputa: Castle In The Sky (Tenku No Shiro Rapyuta) follows Pazu, an engineer’s apprentice, who finds a young girl, Sheeta, floating down from the sky wearing a glowing pendant. Together, they discover both are searching for the legendary floating castle, ‘Laputa’, and vow to unravel the mystery of the luminous crystal around Sheeta’s neck. Their quest isn’t easy though with sky pirates, secret agents and monumental obstacles stopping them from discovering the truth.
Porco Rosso (PG) screening from Friday 12th – Thursday 18th August
Porco Rosso (Kurenai No Buta) follows the adventures of ‘Porco Rosso’, a veteran World War I pilot in 1930s Italy, who has been cursed to look like an anthropomorphic pig. He makes a living flying contract jobs, such as rescuing those kidnapped by air pirates. When rival ace, Curtis arrives intent on making a name for himself at Porco’s expense, he has to stand up and become human again.
Cinema ticket prices: £8.20 or £7.00 concessions |
