Miyazaki flies away
Famed anime director's retirement is announced with the release of his last film "The Wind Rises"
VENICE, Italy — Anime director Hayao Miyazaki, 72, will retire from filmmaking with his latest film, “The Wind Rises” (“Kaze Tachinu”), which is now showing in theaters around Japan.
Koji Hoshino, president of Miyazaki’s production company Studio Ghibli, made the announcement Sunday during a press conference at the Venice International Film Festival, where the film is in competition. Miyazaki himself will hold a press conference in Japan on Friday.
Miyazaki hinted at retiring a few times in the past.
Hoshino did not reveal why Miyazaki has decided to retire, but said: “There is a line in “Kaze Tachinu” that the creative period continues only for 10 years. Miayzaki has told me, ‘My 10 years have already finished.’”
Miyazaki began his career as an animator for television. In 1979, he directed his first film, “Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro”. After he released “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind”, which he wrote and directed in 1984, he helped found Studio Ghibli, which became his production base. At Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki produced “Kiki’s Delivery Service”, “Princess Mononoke” and other popular works. In 2001, “Spirited Away” chalked up a record 30.4 billion yen (about $301,905,952) at Japan’s box office.
“Spirited Away” also received international acclaim. It won the Golden Bear at the 2002 Berlin International Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003. “The Wind Rises,” which has been showing since July 20, made 8 billion yen (about $80,704,000) at the box office as of the end of August and is vying for Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival.
“I’m sorry to hear Mr. Miyazaki will retire from filmmaking,” film critic Tadao Sato said. "I'm sure he can produce more works and has films he wants to produce. I didn't think his latest film would be his last work.
“Commercial animated features, including Disney, were only for families, but Miyazaki went beyond conventional frameworks and greatly contributed to international film history by innovatively expanding the anime world with high artistic quality.”
