Over a period of nearly 30 years, Japan’s Studio Ghibli established itself as perhaps the world’s finest producer of animated motion pictures. With a reputation for lush visuals, attention to detail and epic storytelling, Studio Ghibli eschewed commercial success to create intelligent, poetic, often fanciful films that embrace family, community, and a deep concern for the environment and our relationship with nature.
In dedication to some of the most magical and beloved animated movies ever made, the Empirical Theater is pleased to host their fourth annual Studio Ghibli Retrospective from January 10 through January 27.
On exhibit are eighteen films including such popular favorites as Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Spirited Away.
Three selections are new to this year’s Retrospective led by Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki a 2016 Japanese documentary recently released in the U.S. that covers Miyazaki’s attempt to use CGI animation for the first time.
Also in their Retrospective debuts are Isao Takahata’s 1991 drama Only Yesterday – at once an ode to nature and an introspective tale of self-realization – and Miyazaki’s 2013 historical biography The Wind Rises, the breathtakingly animated story of Japanese aviation engineer Jiro Horikoshi.
Ticket prices for each show are $7 adult, $6 youth and seniors.
OMSI members receive $1 off. Tickets may be purchased online at omsi.edu, at the OMSI front desk, or by telephone at 503-797-4000.
Looking at the schedule
Thursday, January 10
6:30pm Grave of the Fireflies (Sub) : Introduction and Talk By Dr. Ken Ruoff, Professor of History and Director of the Center for Japanese Studies at Portland State University
9:15pm The Wind Rises (Sub)
Friday, January 11
7:00pm Whisper of the Heart (Dub)
9:15pm Princess Mononoke (Sub)
Saturday, January 12
4:00pm My Neighbor Totoro (Dub)
5:45pm Ponyo (Dub)
7:45pm Howl’s Moving Castle (Sub)
10:00pm Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (Dub)
Sunday, January 13
4:00pm Kiki’s Delivery Service (Dub)
6:00pm Spirited Away (Sub)
Tuesday, January 15
6:30pm My Neighbor Totoro (TBD): Introduction and Talk By Kristin Faurest, PhD, Director of the Portland Japanese Garden Training Center
9:15pm The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (Sub)
Thursday, January 17
6:30pm Only Yesterday (Dub)
8:30pm Porco Rosso (Sub)
Friday, January 18
7:30pm The Cat Returns (Dub)
9:00pm Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (Sub)
Saturday, January 19
5:00pm Kiki’s Delivery Service (Dub)
7:00pm Princess Mononoke (Dub)
9:30pm Castle in the Sky (Dub)
Sunday, January 20
4:00pm My Neighbor Totoro (Dub)
5:45pm The Secret World of Arrietty (Dub)
7:30pm Howl’s Moving Castle (Dub)
Monday, January 21
4:00pm Ponyo (Dub)
6:00pm Spirited Away (Dub)
Tuesday, January 22
6:30pm The Cat Returns (Sub): Introduction and Talk By Dr. Kristyn Vitale, Maddie’s Postdoctoral Scholar in the Human-Animal Interaction Lab at Oregon State University
9:00pm Pom Poko (Dub)
Thursday, January 24
6:30pm Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki (Sub): Introduction and Talk By Roland Gauthier, Executive Producer and Partner at Hinge
9:00pm Castle In The Sky (Sub)
Friday, January 25
7:30pm Porco Rosso (Dub)
9:30pm Howl’s Moving Castle (Dub)
Saturday, January 26
5:00pm The Secret World of Arrietty (Dub)
7:00pm Spirited Away (Dub)
9:15pm Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (Dub)
Sunday, January 27
4:00pm My Neighbor Totoro (Dub)
6:00pm Princess Mononoke (Dub)
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