Animated action fantasy from the director of Spirited Away. When a young prince is cursed by an angry god, he travels east in search of a cure. However, he encounters a battle between the creatures of the forest and the inhabitants of the mining town who are threatening their existence. The leader of the forest animals is a human raised by wolves called Princess Mononoke.
The highest-grossing Japanese film of its day, this is a luxuriously animated legend of ancient gods going head to head with mankind and industry over the balance of nature. Released through Disney offshoot Miramax in an English-language version, this boldly surrealistic and starkly experimental cartoon is beautifully drawn, using the inspiration of classic Japanese artwork, and drums home a modern ecological message with a feminist bias. Set in the 14th century, it's a complicated tale of cursed Prince Ashitaka condemned to roam the land looking for a way to lift the malediction that has given him various supernatural gifts. After encountering bloodthirsty samurai, corrupt priests, friendly sprites and the evil Lady Eboshi who owns a giant iron foundry, he joins forces with San, the Wolf Princess, to ensure capitalistic progress will not be won at the expense of the woodland creatures. Director Hayao Miyazaki expertly weaves Asian folklore and contemporary issues with breathtaking designs and colour palettes. The realisation of the Deer God as a psychedelic Godzilla is a masterstroke.
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Director | Hayao Miyazaki |
