Venice Doc Explores Japanese Master’s Career

New Miyazaki Documentary to Premiere at Venice

Miyazaki, Spirit Of Nature, which debuts at this year’s Venice Film Festival.

The doc, directed by Leo Favier, is billed as the “first documentary to focus on Hayao Miyazaki’s deep connection to nature and the environmental themes expressed through his films.”

Directed by Léo Favier and written by Favier and Léo Brachet, the doc features excerpts from the films themselves as well as insightful interviews with figures including his longtime colleague, producer and Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki; his son, director Goro Miyazaki (From Up on Poppy Hill); and former Ghibli animator Hiromasa Yonebayashi (When Marnie Was There), co-founder of Studio Ponoc. Audiences will also hear from Japanese animation, manga & modern literature specialist Prof. Susan Napier (author of Miyazakiworld), and philosopher-ecologist Prof. Timothy Morton (author of Being Ecological).

Miyazaki, Spirit of Nautre is produced by Les Bons Clients (Loïc Bouchet, Thibaut Camurat), ARTE France Tag Film (Christian Popp) and Emi Gueydan-Hiraoka. Worldwide sales are through Balanga.

The official synopsis reads: Through iconic characters such as Totoro and Princess Mononoke, Miyazaki’s films reflect his deep concerns about the world, often autobiographical and echoing the upheavals of the 20th century. Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature, enriched with exceptional film excerpts and insights from voices like his son and director Goro Miyazaki, his producer Toshio Suzuki, and the philosopher Timothy Morton, reveals Miyazaki’s profound ecological work that questions our relationship with the natural world and living creatures.

First Promo Trailer for ‘Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature’ Environmental Doc

“The 21st century is a tricky time. Our future isn’t clear.” Le Bons Clients revealed a festival promo trailer for Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature, yet another new documentary film about Hayao Miyazaki. There have been so many of them recently, including another one at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. This one is made by a French filmmaker named Leo Favier and is originally titled Miyazaki, L’Esprit de la Nature – it’ll be premiering at the 2024 Venice Film Festival in their Venice Classics section. The new film is being described as the “first documentary to focus on Miyazaki’s deep connection to nature and the environmental themes expressed through his films.” Featuring archival footage, interviews, conversations and more – the doc takes a closer look at Miyazaki-san’s relationship with our environment and Mother Earth. Examining his passion for animation and advocacy for the natural world. Yep this is a must watch doc for me! Especially because I enjoy hearing about other people chat about Miyazaki’s movies and his love for this planet.

The film is premiering at the 2024 Venice Film Festival.