THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA, the new film by Isao Takahata (GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES) and Studio Ghibli is nominated in the ‘Best Animated Feature’ category at this Sunday’s 87th Academy Awards.
With its exquisitely drawn style that recalls washed-out Japanese watercolours, the film is a strong contender to win the Oscar this weekend, having already won several international awards. It faces stiff competition however from fellow nominees THE BOXTROLLS, BIG HERO 6, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 and SONG OF THE SEA. We have faith in Ghibli though as they don’t seem capable of putting a foot wrong.
They won the Best Animated Feature Oscar in 2001 with SPIRITED AWAY. This film directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki (another co-founder of Studio Ghibli) mesmerised audiences with its stunning animation and unique story, becoming one of the highest grossing films in Japanese history and appearing in the top ten of BFI’s list of the 50 films you should see by the age of 14. The iconic studio has also received Oscar nominations for The Wind Rises in 2014 and Howl’s Moving Castle in 2005.
THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA tells the story of a peasant who discovers a miniature girl growing inside a bamboo shoot. The peasant takes her home and she matures at an alarming rate, soon becoming the most beautiful young woman in the land. After moving to the great city, she is wooed by a series of suitors, including the Emperor himself. But it soon emerges that she is in fact exiled from the Moon, to where she is sadly bound one day to return.
To celebrate the nomination, check out our gallery of stunning stills from THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA.
Like what you see? THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA is released in the UK on 20th March.
