Category: Filmmaker of the Month

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June 2, 2019

June’s Filmmakers of the Month: Lana and Lilly Wachowski

For June, we celebrate Pride Month by diving into the filmography of cinema's most prominent transgender filmmakers.
Spirited Away&
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May 31, 2019

“Spirited Away” and the Sophistication of Childhood

(Every month, we at The Spool select a Filmmaker of the Month, honoring the life and works of influential auteurs with a singular voice, for..
Howl's Moving Castle&
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May 30, 2019

“Howl’s Moving Castle” Is Miyazaki’s Personal Favorite, And It’s Easy to See Why

Howl's Moving Castle, Hayao Miyazaki's sprawling, mythic steampunk fantasy from 2004, is one of the master's more underrated features.
PonyoT
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May 28, 2019

The Simple Pleasures of “Ponyo”

One of Hayao Miyazaki's lighter, sentimental films is a celebration of ordinary life & parental love as seen through the eyes of a child.
Princess Mononoke&
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May 19, 2019

“Princess Mononoke” & the Beauty of Unpleasant Matters

One of Miyazaki's most enduring classics, Princess Mononoke addresses the concepts of violence and hatred in a way young viewers can understand.
Porco RossoP
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May 18, 2019

Pigs Fly in Miyazaki’s Swashbuckling Sea Adventure “Porco Rosso”

Porco Rosso is yet another swashbuckling adventure in the grand tradition of Hayao Miyazaki, a high-flying caper about a flying pig who's also a sea pirate.
Kiki's Delivery ServiceK
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May 12, 2019

Kiki’s Delivery Service: A Delightful Slice of Adolescent Magical Realism

Miyazaki's animated classic effortlessly blends magical realism with a relatable coming-of-age story about building community.
My Neighbor Totoro&
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May 11, 2019

“My Neighbor Totoro” and the Age of Innocence

In 1988, Hayao Miyazaki found a bright, adorable way to explore the freedom and exuberance of childhood, and invites adults to see it anew.
Laputa: Castle in the Sky&
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May 10, 2019

“Castle in the Sky” Is Miyazaki’s Swashbuckling Steampunk Adventure

While it doesn't have the reputation of Miyazaki's later works, Studio Ghibli's sophomore film serves as a lovely steampunk primer to the man's filmography.
The Castle of CagliostroY
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May 5, 2019

Years Before Studio Ghibli, “The Castle of Cagliostro” Set the Foundation for Hayao Miyazaki’s Work

Before Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki honed his craft on one of the liveliest anime action-adventures of all time.