How Ghibli Was Born

Follows the behind-the-scenes work of Studio Ghibli, focusing on the notable figures Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki.

Studio Ghibli is Japan's most successful animation studio, with helmers Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away," "My Neighbor Totoro") and Isao Takahata ("Grave of The Fireflies," "The Tale of Princess Kaguya") creating a bonanza for producer/prexy Toshio Suzuki. Generously adorned with clips from their films and their influences, the docu follows Ghibli's arc from a mid-'60s rebellion against working conditions at Toei Co. to its present powerhouse position, complete with public fun park. All interviews are illuminating, but Miyazaki is teasingly confined to pic's tete-a-tete finale with esteemed French comic artist Jean "Moebius" Giraud. Meeting of the wizened European, whose imprint is on films from "Blade Runner" to "The Fifth Element," and the apparently relaxed Nipponese helmer makes an interesting contrast, and will be of special interest to Francophiles. All credits are impeccable

A documentary about the Ghibli Museum. It features Goro Miyazaki speaking with Isao Takahata about the "charm" of the museum and its various influences. Goro tours the viewer around the museum, explaining the intricate details that his father, Hayao Miyazaki made during its construction. The documentary highlights the strong European influences in the museum's architecture, featuring footage of the medieval mountainous city of Calcata in Italy and the historic port city of Genoa, which Miyazaki had visited in the past. These trips would go on to influencing the imagery seen in Castle in the Sky, Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, and Spirited Away.

Stepping closer and closer to his retirement, Hayao Miyazaki has no other means, but to choose up a new director. Ghibli's given some creative freedoms in the past, but they hardly lasted. Maro, an animator of 37 years. has done a good deed of works in his prior days. Thus, Miyazaki-san decides to appoint him as a new director for the upcoming feature of 'Arrietty the Borrower'.

In Italy in the 1930s, sky pirates in biplanes terrorize wealthy cruise ships as they sail the Adriatic Sea. The only pilot brave enough to stop the scourge is the mysterious Porco Rosso, a former World War I flying ace who was somehow turned into a pig during the war. As he prepares to battle the pirate crew's American ace, Porco Rosso enlists the help of spunky girl mechanic Fio Piccolo and his longtime friend Madame Gina.

The Raccoons of the Tama Hills are being forced from their homes by the rapid development of houses and shopping malls. As it becomes harder to find food and shelter, they decide to band together and fight back. The Raccoons practice and perfect the ancient art of transformation until they are even able to appear as humans in hilarious circumstances.

The Yamadas are a typical middle class Japanese family in urban Tokyo and this film shows us a variety of episodes of their lives. With tales that range from the humorous to the heartbreaking, we see this family cope with life's little conflicts, problems, and joys in their own way.

At Kichijōji Station, Tokyo, Taku Morisaki glimpses a familiar woman on the platform opposite boarding a train. Later, her photo falls from a shelf as he exits his apartment before flying to Kōchi Prefecture. Picking it up, he looks at it briefly before leaving. As the aeroplane takes off, he narrates the events that brought her into his life...

Something bizarre has come over the land. The kingdom is deteriorating. People are beginning to act strange... What's even more strange is that people are beginning to see dragons, which shouldn't enter the world of humans. Due to all these bizarre events, Ged, a wandering wizard, is investigating the cause. During his journey, he meets Prince Arren, a young distraught teenage boy. While Arren may look like a shy young teen, he has a severe dark side, which grants him strength, hatred, ruthlessness and has no mercy, especially when it comes to protecting Teru. For the witch Kumo this is a perfect opportunity. She can use the boy's "fears" against the very one who would help him, Ged.

The dialogue-less film follows the major life stages of a castaway on a deserted tropical island populated by turtles, crabs and birds.

A cherished remembrance of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers reunited for the film, "The Barkleys of Broadway."

Death is the great equalizer, if only due to the rites celebrated by the living. And thus, after their earthly existences ended, Ioannes Paulus PP. II. and Communist revolutionary-turned-politician Álvaro Barreirinhas Cunhal suddenly had a lot in common. Two funerals, one soundtrack. Lots of questions.

Homemade is the cinematic and profoundly intimate five-year journey with decorated Force Reconnaissance Marine, Adam Sorensen, and his wife, Victoria, as they navigate marriage and the effects of Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, and addiction.

Megha's Divorce

A look back at Indochine's blazing career, the first French pop-rock band to sell out both Bercy and the Stade de France. Since their first single and success « L'Aventurier » released in 1982, Indochine has sold 10 million records. Nicola Sirkis, his co-members, journalists, close friends and family members tell Indochine's incredible story.

Featuring Robert Crumb, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tiny Tim, Russ Meyer and more this volume of the “Midnight Blue” collection focuses on celebrities.

Charlie Sloth has been on a road trip to find the hottest rappers up North and try to understand why rap music in the U.K is dominated by the London scene. He's travelled from Newcastle to Liverpool, Manchester to Sheffield, Huddersfield to Leeds; spent time in boxing gyms with aspiring MCs, and met feared battle-rappers working the night-shift in Morrisons. Featuring Shotty Horroh, Bang On, Tez Kidd, Hoodman, The Projekt and Sermstyle.

Energy freedom is at our fingertips, yet a powerful system is waging war against the solar industry and people's rights. Jonathan Scott travels the USA confronting those at the root of the issue and meeting with ordinary citizens fighting back.

The full behind-the-scenes story on the first British World Heavyweight Champion this century, Lennox Lewis. Included are in-depth interviews with Lewis, opponent Eliades McCall, trainer Emmanuel Steward and promoter Don King. Discover the truth about the battles inside and out of the ring.

Actress Liana Orfei and film historian Fabio Melelli talk about Il mulino delle donne di pietra