In 2013, Oscar-winning film director and animator, Hayao Miyazaki, suddenly announced his retirement at the age of 72. But after an encounter with young CGI artists, the director of Spirited Away decided to embark on a new artistic endeavor. This candid documentary follows Miyazaki as he crafts his first CGI film in an intimate behind-the-scenes portrait filmed over two years. Film in Japanese with voice-over and/or subtitles in English.

The documentary offers a behind-the-scene look at the creative process of the master animator, largely referred to as Japan’s Walt Disney, who’s made a collection of animated classics such as “My Neighbor Totoro” and the Oscar winner “Spirited Away.”

“He imposes himself to become a slave of the film,” Arakawa said. “He makes himself and everyone who works for the film contribute 100 per cent.” In February, longtime Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki confirmed that Miyazaki had come out of retirement and was working on a feature-length film.

“Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki” will air on Japan’s NHK WORLD TV on June 3 and 4.

Shahab Zargari

Shahab is a filmmaker, father and a huge geek.

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