The Boy and the Heron12A

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki | Japan | 2023 | 2h 4m | Japanese language version voiced by: Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Kô Shibasakim, Yoshino Kimura, Takuya Kimura. English language version voiced by: Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Willem Dafoe, Robert Pattinson, Florence Pugh

After the death of his mother during the Second World War, twelve-year-old Mahito moves to the countryside with his father. But when a talking heron informs him that his mother is still alive, he enters an abandoned tower in search of her, plunging him into a bizarre parallel universe. A decade since his last feature, renowned Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro) makes a triumphant return with this captivating and enchanting adventure brimming with imagination and emotion. Winner of Best Animated Feature at this year’s BAFTAs and Oscars.

Reviews

‘A mind-mangling, logic-teasing explosion of poetry, philosophy and pure emotion. A more perfect final statement you could not imagine.’
★★★★★
Mark Asch, Little White Lies

‘Don’t call it a comeback — or another retirement. Do call it an astonishing, sumptuous animated fantasy featuring everything you love about one of the greatest filmmakers of all time.’
★★★★★
Ben Travis, Empire Magazine

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We showed The Boy and the Heron between January 19, 2024 and April 4, 2024.

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