According to China Film News, Alibaba Pictures and Studio Ghibli have reached a strategic cooperation, including cooperation plans in various fields such as animated films and immersive exhibitions. Studio Ghibli Representative Director and Producer Toshio Suzuki and Alibaba Pictures President Li Jie reached an agreement to sign a cooperation plan for Hayao Miyazaki's new film "The Heron and the Boy".
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"The Heron and the Boy" is the latest translation of Hayao Miyazaki's new work "What Kind of Life Do You Want to Live". The film has been officially released in Japan on July 14, 2023, and has been released successively since then. North America, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, China, etc. The film continues the themes of anti-war and environmental protection in Hayao Miyazaki's works. It tells the story of Makoto Makoto, a young man who lost his mother after World War II, who meets a talking blue heron and embarks on an incredible adventure. The picture still uses the bright and colorful colors that the audience is familiar with. Childlike hand-painted style.
Poster of "The Heron and the Boy"
As the animated feature film directed by Hayao Miyazaki again after 10 years, it features powerful dubbing by stars such as Yamatoki Satoma, Sugata Masaki, Shibasaki Yuki, Aimu, Kimura Yoshino, and Kimura Takuya. The lineup, with Joe Hisaishi as the soundtrack, Kenshi Yonezu singing the theme song "Globe", and other configurations have raised the audience's expectations. When the
film was released in Japan, it faced the audience with "zero publicity", but Ghibli's strong appeal still allowed the film to achieve a box office record of 8.7 billion yen. It grossed US$12.8 million at the box office in its first three days of release in North America, winning the weekend box office championship. Not only did it become the first Japanese original animated film to top the North American box office chart, it also set the best opening performance in North America in the history of Ghibli films. It was more than 2.7 million U.S. dollars more than the total box office of "Spirited Away" in its first North American release (10.06 million U.S. dollars). As the most watched animated film in the world in 2023, the film has won many awards including the "Top Ten Films of the Year" at the 2023 National Board of Review Awards and the "Best Animated Film" at the 49th Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards. It currently has a 97% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Li Jie, President of Alibaba Pictures, conveyed the blessings and expectations of Chinese movie fans to Director Hayao Miyazaki on his 83rd birthday. The two parties exchanged gifts on the spot and wished for a new year.
Alibaba Pictures has produced and distributed many animated films in recent years, including "Peppa Pig Celebrating the New Year", "New God List: Nezha Reborn", and "Chang'an 30,000 Miles". After the announcement of the cooperation, the news that "The Heron and the Boy" is expected to be introduced to the mainland's big screen also attracted the attention of movie fans.
In addition to the movie itself, Alibaba Pictures and Ghibli have reached a strategic agreement on an immersive exhibition of Miyazaki Hayao's animation works. This is Studio Ghibli’s first development and attempt at an immersive exhibition. Among them, Chuang Co., Ltd. will be responsible for the implementation of the exhibition as the authorized representative of the Hayao Miyazaki animation exhibition.
relies on Alibaba Pictures’ platform Damai’s long-term layout in the field of live entertainment, with Ghibli’s classic animation works as the core, and the implementation of the immersive exhibition plan. Movie fans and audiences will also be immersed in the palace with an all-round and multi-perspective experience. In the world of Saki Hayao animation, relive the touch and courage brought by the animation master.
It is reported that a related exhibition with this theme is expected to meet the audience in Shanghai in 2024.
