In 2013, Hayao Miyazaki retired from making feature films. This year, it was officially announced that he was returning to long-form filmmaking. And now, we know why.
[Image: Movieclips Film Festivals & Indie Films]
When he retired from features, Miyazaki cited several reasons why he was stepping down, including that his vision was getting worse. “If I said I wanted to [make a feature film], I would sound like an old man saying something foolish”, Miyazaki said at the time.
Now, Miyazaki is hard at work on a new feature. But why? What’s the reason he came back?
According to his long-time producer Toshio Suzuki, Miyazaki came out of retirement for his grandson. According to Shukan Josei Prime, when Suzuki was recently on NHK television program Nichiyobi Bijitsukan (Sunday Art Gallery), he explained Miyazaki’s motivation.
“He [Miyazaki] said, ‘I’m making it for my grandson.’” Suzuki continued that Miyazaki also said that his grandson might say something like, “Grandpa passed into the next world, but he left this work.”
Suzuki added, “No doubt Ghibli fans are looking at the TV, blurting, ‘Hey! Wait a second. That’s the reason?!” That is, it seems, the reason.
Comments
8 responses to “The Real Reason Why Hayao Miyazaki Came Out Of Retirement”
A good reason.
As good as any, if not the best.
Although really, I would’ve considered, “I need another paycheck to live comfortably,” or, “I didn’t realize how much I’d miss doing it,” or, “I’m seeing a lot of what I don’t like, so I wanted to give another example of what I do like,” or, “I’m a perfectionist who just can’t let go because I still don’t think I’ve done my best work yet,” to also be fine reasons.
“Retirement is boring,” “They asked really nicely,” “I had a great idea,” “my vision has improved,” or even the classic “whatever, I do what I want.”
Damn straight.
‘retirement’
May he continue to make magic for as long as he can.
He doesn’t need a reason to come out of retirement, imo. It’s his life, he can do whatever he wants to do with it. More power to him.
Oh that is just precious, wouldn’t have guessed, but happily surprised.
I thought i read he made his previous movies as allegories for his kids? Is that right? If so, this seems like a natural extension.
Boom, bring on more movies!