The boy and the heron, Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film, has kept its story a secret since its announcement. Eager fans have been eagerly awaiting a trailer to give them some hint of what to expect. By September 6, their prayers were finally answered. But the trailer in question doesn’t reveal as much as they expected.
Just over a minute long, the official trailer includes brief moments of mystery: a woman melting in her sleep, a stone archway inscribed with a Latin phrase that roughly translates to “strength.” God created me” and a glowing passageway floated within it. space. As disjointed and bewildering as it all is, there is one key to explaining the madness: the titular Heron himself.
The heron is the embodiment of the film
There are plenty of clues available to help piece together the plot of The Boy and the Heron, some of which were overshadowed by the official trailer. A few days before its release, YouTube channel GKIDS posted a trailer for the film. It describes the plot as one of “life, death and creation,” and Mahito’s mother is said to be absent in some way – it’s possible that, given the film’s themes, she’s passed away. recent life. So why is there a random heron involved? Simply put, it is because the mysterious bird embodies the duality of life and death that the film will portray.
In Japanese culture, the heron is considered a symbol of sadness and love lost or found. It is intrinsically associated with blurred boundaries, connected to the changing seasons and considered divine for its ability to move through the elements. Its fleeting nature and relationship with sadness and love suggest that the heron will act as Mahito’s guardian, guiding him through the afterlife and helping him cope with the loss of his mother, can lead to a bittersweet ending. It’s a fitting farewell for Miyazaki, especially when one realizes the final part of the story: The Boy and the Heron is a reflection of Miyazaki’s career.
Miyazaki’s new story is his own
Miyazaki is famous for never fully committing to retirement. Since the end of production on The Wind Rises in 2013, he took a break from series production for a while before returning to learn more. In this way, he lives in a state of limbo very similar to the world of life and death that Mahito will explore. Further confirming this connection is the blurb for the film, which states that it is a “semi-autobiographical fantasy.” Heron, then, may represent something of a guiding force for Miyazaki himself, helping him navigate the blurred lines between career and retirement before ultimately leading him out of the industry for good. Although recent news suggests that Miyazaki may not be retiring, it’s clear that The Boy and the Heron was originally intended to be the legend’s final film, making the heron symbol even stronger.
The Boy and the Heron has set the bar pretty high for its story. The film’s official trailer maintains its mysterious reputation by showing several imaginary but seemingly unconnected scenes. Heron himself acts as the glue between these scenes and brings clarity to the story, which is about Mahito coming to terms with his mother’s death. Heron, bridging the gap between worlds, further connects the story with the reality of Miyazaki’s life. Studio Ghibli always produces meaningful films, and The boy and the heron telling the story of Miyazaki’s film career is a fine continuation of this tradition.
Source: GKIDS Movie
