Miyazaki, Here I Come!
Source: Anime News Network
Hayao Miyazaki will be present for the North American premiere Howl’s Moving Castle on June 6 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
The premiere will be the highlight of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata: Masters of Animation, a 13-film exhibition & tribute to Studio Ghibli’s two principle directors, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata.
In addition to Miyazaki, Emily Mortimer (Sophie) and Christian Bale (Howl), Jean Simmons, Lauren Bacall, and Billy Crystal are expected to attend the premiere.
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“It might be faster if you walked,” says my dad as we’re stuck in mid-town Manhattan traffic. He was right. I called the Museum right before we entered the Lincoln Tunnel coming from New Jersey, and they told me that they only had 9 tickets left. Of course, the moment we get into the city, traffic just doesn’t move for us.
So I jumped out of the car and ran for five blocks. I finally found the entrance to the museum. I was directed to the information desk, 2nd of the left. While waiting in line, I saw a family of Asian people taking a picture of themselves holding tickets and smiling. I knew what they were smiling about. Oh please, please tell me that you still have tickets for the premiere Monday night!!!
“We have one left, sir.”
One?!?
My immediate feeling was disappointment, because I wanted this to be an event that I shared with my girlfriend. But on the other hand, I didn’t just run five blocks in hot Manhattan weather to come home empty handed. So I bought the last ticket. I talked to the women, and if I came really early on Monday, I would be able to get a second ticket. But still, I felt pretty bummed out.
As we drove back home, that disappointment did start to go away as I slowly began to realize that I was going to an event with Hayao Miyazaki. I once read an article called “The Beginner’s Guide to Anime” in which they said, “This is Miyazaki. Get to know him for he is your God.” Now, I thought this statement was a little exaggerated. But now that I think about it, they might be right. Everything that this guy has done has been gold. Nausicaa, Castle in the Sky, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and most of all, My Neighbor Totoro! And then you also have to remember that he created the two highest grossing Japanese films in history with Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke.
Holy crap, I’m going to see the God of anime!
And so I’m very excited about this. I’m hoping I will get the chance to meet the man himself. I’ll be taking along a digital camera so hopefully I can get good shots and write up a nice little report on Tuesday for all of you. But in any case, this should be a wonderful experience for this anime fanboy.
