The American Cinematheque once again presents Studio Ghibli Films at the Aero & Egyptian Theatres. This popular series sold out quickly last year, so get your tickets now. For two more weekends the American Cinematheque will be screening Studio Ghibli films at the Aero and Egyptian Theatres. This is a very popular series that sold out quickly last year, so be sure not to miss a single screening of some of the most imaginative animation ever produced.
For those of you who don’t know the American Cinematheque is an independent, non-profit, viewer-supported cultural organization in Los Angeles dedicated exclusively to the public presentation of the moving image in all its forms. If that sounds like something you’d read on a home page or in a fundraising pitch that’s because it is. It’s also a very accurate description. Considered among the premier organizations of its kind in America, the Cinematheque presents festivals and retrospectives that screen the best of worldwide cinema, video and television from the past and present - ranging from the classics to the outer frontiers of the art form. So, the animation of Studio Ghibli naturally fits in as one of the unique presentations the organization annually offers to its dedicated audience.
Of course, I may be using the word “annually” a bit prematurely since this year marks only the second year in a row the Cinematheque has featured such a retrospective. However, based on the popularity of the films and the theater’s sold out screenings last year I suspect come January 2014 we’ll be seeing the whimsical Japanese characters back up on the big screen at both the Aero in Santa Monica and at the Egyptian in Hollywood. But I urge you not to wait until then to experience a type of animation that will completely disarm you with its almost folk-art appearance and fanciful story lines. This is most definitely not your typical Disney-type film, and yet it will appeal to the same audience and then some.
At this time you’ve already missed out on Hayao Miyazaki's Academy Award wining Spirited Away and Pom Moko at the Egyptian, and Porco Rosso and Whisper of the Heart at the Aero, but you can still catch a lot of other great examples of the form this weekend and next before the run ends Sunday, February 10. My personal favorite is Castle in the Sky, which you can catch in Hollywood Saturday the 2nd, and in Santa Monica Sunday the 10th.
Featuring the work of founders Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, Studio Ghibli is known as a creative force boasting talented directors, animators and storytellers. From Castle in the Sky to Ponyo, Ghibli is known for producing films that are praised for their originality, dazzling animation and epic storytelling. The films have become a beloved part of Japanese popular culture, and have garnered worldwide acclaim from audiences and critics alike. So, what else do you need to know? Get your tickets now before this opportunity is gone.