Hayao Miyazaki is a titan of cinema like very few in the history of the seventh art. His authoritative and sophisticated works in his Japanese anime films, at an international level, have ended up making him a reference for millions of fans. Last year, he managed, once again and after decades, to bring another one of his works to the big screen in such a resounding way that he even won an Oscar.
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Subscribe (it's FREE) ►The Boy and the Heron, a film that was a hit in the Japanese and international box office, is finally coming to streaming outlets. It will be available on the Max platform, and you can finally watch this beautiful last story that, despite not being Miyazaki’s latest—he has announced that he is working on a new feature film—feels like a farewell.
A one-of-a-kind movie
The Boy and the Heron is a deeply symbolic story filled with philosophical themes. Although it is based on the novel of the same name by Genzaburō Yoshino, Miyazaki adds his personal touch with elements of fantasy and magic. The story follows Mahito, a young boy who, after losing his mother during World War II, moves to the countryside with his father and his new stepmother, who is his deceased mother’s sister.
Mahito is devastated by the pain and confusion that this situation generates, and while trying to adapt to his new life, he encounters a mysterious gray heron that guides him into a magical and surreal world. Throughout the movie, Mahito struggles with the pain of losing his mother and the emotional impact that the war has left on his life. The film explores in a unique and metaphorical way how the characters face pain and the possibility of healing after such a tragic situation. Although it is really tough and full of pain, it is a very special film that only someone like Miyazaki could have made a reality.
