Studio Ghibli Anime
February 16 – March 5
From February 16 to March 5, Apollo Cinema invites you to dive into the world of Studio Ghibli and the films of Hayao Miyazaki! On the big screen, you’ll have the chance to experience legendary masterpieces once again — from the captivating Spirited Away to the adventure-filled Howl’s Moving Castle and the heartwarming Ponyo. These are films that inspire wonder, spark imagination, and bring you back to childhood for a moment. Embark on an unforgettable journey and join us at Apollo Kinas!
Spirited away
Reviewers say 'Spirited Away' is acclaimed for its imaginative world, stunning animation, and evocative music. Themes of growth, resilience, identity, and responsibility resonate deeply. Critics praise its visual beauty and creativity, often comparing it to Disney classics. However, some find the English dubbed version less faithful, diminishing subtlety and depth. A few argue the pacing is slow and the narrative arbitrary. Despite these criticisms, 'Spirited Away' is widely regarded as a unique, enchanting masterpiece.
Howl's Moving Castle
Reviewers say 'Howl's Moving Castle' highlights Miyazaki's signature themes of magic, strong female leads, and detailed worlds. Sophie's transformative journey and self-discovery are central. The animation is lauded for its breathtaking visuals and meticulous detail. However, some find it less original, with familiar elements and a simpler plot than Miyazaki's earlier films. Nonetheless, it is appreciated for its imaginative narrative, engaging characters, and the director's unique fusion of fantasy and reality.
Wind rises
Jiro dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes, inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni. Nearsighted from a young age and unable to be a pilot, Jiro joins a major Japanese engineering company in 1927 and becomes one of the world's most innovative and accomplished airplane designers. The film chronicles much of his life, depicting key historical events, including the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the Great Depression, the tuberculosis epidemic and Japan's plunge into war. Jiro meets and falls in love with Nahoko, and grows and cherishes his friendship with his colleague Honjo.
Ponyo
The son of a sailor, 5-year-old Sosuke lives a quiet life on an oceanside cliff with his mother Lisa. One fateful day, he finds a beautiful goldfish trapped in a bottle on the beach and upon rescuing her, names her Ponyo. But she is no ordinary goldfish. The daughter of a masterful wizard and a sea goddess, Ponyo uses her father's magic to transform herself into a young girl and quickly falls in love with Sosuke, but the use of such powerful sorcery causes a dangerous imbalance in the world. As the moon steadily draws nearer to the earth and Ponyo's father sends the ocean's mighty waves to find his daughter, the two children embark on an adventure of a lifetime to save the world and fulfill Ponyo's dreams of becoming human.
Kiki's Delivery Service
A young witch named Kiki is now 13 years old. She is still a little green and plenty headstrong, but also resourceful, imaginative, and determined. With her trusty cat named Jiji by her side, she's ready to take on the world, or at least the quaintly European seaside village she's chosen as her new home.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Set one thousand years from now, the Earth is ravaged by pollution and war. In the Valley of the Wind lives Nausicaä, Princess of her people. Their land borders on a toxic jungle, filled with dangerous over-sized insects. Meanwhile, two nearby nations are bitterly engaged in a war and the Valley of the Wind is stuck in the middle.
