The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is making history this year by showing a Japanese animated film as its opening screening for the first time ever.
In a tweet on Thursday, TIFF declared its opening night film as The Boy and the Heron from animation master Hayao Miyazaki. The film was written and directed by the Japanese filmmaker and his Oscar-winning animation company Studio Ghibli.
This year marks the very first time a Japanese film or an animated film will open the festival.
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“We are honoured to open the 48th Toronto International Film Festival with the work of one of cinema’s greatest artists,” TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey said in a statement.
“Already acclaimed as a masterpiece in Japan, Hayao Miyazaki’s new film begins as a simple story of loss and love and rises to a staggering work of imagination. I look forward to our audience discovering its mysteries for themselves, but I can promise a singular, transformative experience,” he added.
The Boy and the Heron received record-breaking success in Japan, garnering $13.2 at the box office, making it the biggest debut in Studio Ghibli history. This is Miyazaki’s first feature film in 10 years. It’s a hand-drawn, animated feature with a musical score from Miyazaki’s long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi.
Fun fact, Studio Ghibli released the film in Japan without any promotion, marketing materials, or film description, in order to allow audiences to discover the film for themselves without prior expectations.
“This screening will be the International Premiere and the first opportunity for audiences outside of Japan to experience the film for themselves. GKIDS is distributing The Boy and the Heron in North America, where it will be released in theatres later in the year,” TIFF said.
A number of Studio Ghibli’s films have previously screened at TIFF, includingThe Red Turtle, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, The Wind Rises, From Up on Poppy Hill, Spirited Away, and Princess Mononoke.
TIFF also recognized Miyazaki’s work earlier this year in the POP Japan film series in May. The showcase highlighted the convergence of the cult, pulp, and popular in Japanese film and art, and Miyazaki’s classic fan-favourite films, My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away, were featured.
The Boy and the Heron will be the Opening Night Gala Presentation for the 48th edition of TIFF on Sept. 7 at Roy Thomson Hall.
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