Yesterday I watched Miyazaki’s new movie “How Do You Live” in cinemas in Japan on its opening day. Below are my impressions. There are a lot of spoilers!
It was definitely not something I expected. I had read the original 1937 novel of the same name and was anticipating something similar to this work. At the same time, I had also read that Miyazaki had wanted to experiment a bit, which got me worried about the animation style as well. The opening scene, a close-up of the protagonist being woken up by bomb raids and going out to search for his mother, is in the typical Ghibli style we all know and love. A sigh of relief. Tears start rolling down my face. Then they write the title of the movie 「君たちはどう生きるか」on top of a wonderful painting of a dawn. Tears continue to flow.
The animation is flawless. Such beautiful, hand-drawn animation — reaching new heights! It’s completely 2D animation, but it seems almost too real and too 3D. Hats off to the animators! And the background art — I am in awe of the beautiful shots; they’re my favorites. What compositions, what colors, what details, what skill! I want to pause and marvel at them, screenshot them, and paint them myself.
And then we hear the name of the protagonist: Mahito. Hmm, I think to myself, it’s not Copper, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Maybe there have been changes; after all, it’s not based on the novel but inspired by it. Next I am waiting to see Copper’s uncle or the person who will interpret that role.
As the movie progresses, I am eagerly waiting for the plot to start following the contents of the novel. We are already halfway through it, and I am still waiting and waiting and hoping. I love the novel! It’s such a beautiful, such a wise book. A book everyone should read as a child and read again as they grow up. And then finally, it makes an appearance! A green hardcover book, a gift to Mahito from his late mother. It’s a bit late to get into the content of the book now, I think to myself, but still, I wouldn’t mind it. The wait is in vain, though.
Completely different from anything Miyazaki I’ve seen and different from the Miyazaki I know. Or maybe it’s just my imagination, since I am seeing a movie for the first time. Miyazaki movies are not repetitive after all. Featuring new unseen scenes set at sea, graphic shots of a giant fish being dismantled, and strange black silhouettes of men, it makes me wonder if it’s still a Miyazaki movie I’m watching. New imaginary characters and unusual character designs that take some getting used to. A lot of news that I don’t know how to feel about.
Anyway, from a young schoolboy, reminiscing Jiro Horikoshi, who hurts himself, over time the protagonist Mahito evolves into a noble and determined Ashitaka —by appearance as well. And that is one of the peculiarities of this film: it references previous Miyazaki works. It starts with war torn Japan from “The Wind Rises” and takes us through scenes from “Totoro”, “Howl’s Moving Castle”, “Mononoke”, “Whisper of the Heart”, and “Spirited Away”. At times, scenes reminded me even of “Marnie”, “Tales from Earthsea”, i.e., the works and style of other Ghibli directors. The voice of the Grey Heron at times sounded like Calcifer’s, and later he borrowed not only the voice but also the lines from the cowherd Kohroku. Oh, if only Yōji Matsuda (Ashitaka’s voice actor) would have voiced Mahito.
The movie is said to be a fantastical autobiography of Miyazaki’s childhood dealing with his relationship to his mother. And that’s exactly how the plot starts to develop: in search of the protagonist’s mother. My favorite part was the beginning, when they arrive at Mahito’s new home and are welcomed by the Grey Heron standing atop a grandiose traditional Japanese house. The compositions are awe-inspiring. The nature with its lush greenery. The shots are exceptional, dynamic, difficult, and diverse. Where do that imagination and talent come from?
I think both Mahito and the Grey Heron are Miyazaki, just at different stages of the director’s life. After all, it was the Grey Heron who lured and pushed Mahito into this life-changing adventure. The repeating fights Mahito has with the bird lead to him discovering the “How do you live” book, which is the turning point in the movie and Mahito’s character arc. After he reads the book — a gift from his late mother — something in him changes! As a result, from a passive, self-hurting, apathetic schoolboy, Mahito turns into this courageous young man willing to sacrifice himself for others.
There are a lot of changes in the setting and characters. At times, it felt like they were different, unrelated stories put together. Which is probably how we should watch this movie: a journey with Miyazaki through his work thus far. I felt a lack of lines and explanatory dialogues, which leaves a lot of space for contemplation. Miyazaki himself has said in the past that, at the start of his career, he used to be overly explanatory.
The autobiographical part makes me wonder if Miyazaki too has hit his head as a child and in turn became the genius he is today. I feel like it could’ve been a four hour movie.
So this is the message of the movie: will you be a self-pitying victim, or a determined protagonist of your life? How will you live your life?
