Castles in the Sky: Miyazaki, Takahata and The Masters of Studio Ghibli

Hayao Miyazaki is much more than Japan’s Walt Disney. He combines epic vision, animist mythology, environmentally-conscious subtext, and a dedication to hand-drawn animation maintained in the face of the digital revolution. Miyazaki believes that children deserve stories with depth and emotional complexity, as well as imagination and excitement—and that’s what he delivers. Along with his most celebrated films (the magical My Neighbor Totoro, his environmentalist epic Princess Mononoke, his dark fairy tale Spirited Away), Castles in the Sky: Miyazaki, Takahata and The Masters of Studio Ghibli offers some adventures waiting to be discovered. For younger audiences, the delightful Kiki’s Delivery Service features a strong, plucky young heroine building her self-esteem. For slightly older kids are the grand adventures of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and Castle in the Sky, spectacular fantasies drawn from the director’s private mythos. For another sensibility, check out the eccentric My Neighbors the Yamadas, a comic-strip style family comedy that translates quite effectively to suburban America. It’s directed by Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata. All 15 titles will be screened from 35mm prints, in both dubbed and subtitled editions. (PG) SEAN AXMAKER

Fri., June 22, 6:30 & 8:30 p.m.; June 23-July 5, 2012