CANNES, France (AP) — Studio Ghibli, the Japanese anime factory of surreal ecological wonders that has for 39 years spirited away moviegoers with tales of Totoros, magical jellyfish and floating castles, was celebrated Monday by the Cannes Film Festival with an honorary Palme d’Or.
In the 22 years that Cannes has been handing out honorary Palmes, the award for Ghibli was the first for anything but an individual filmmaker or actor. (This year’s other recipients are George Lucas and Meryl Streep.) Hayao Miyazaki, the 83-year-old animation master who founded Studio Ghibli in 1985 with Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki, didn’t attend the ceremony, but he spoke in a video message taped in Japan.
“I don’t understand any of this,” said Miyazaki. “But thank you.”
At Cannes, where standing ovations can stretch on end, the fervor that greeted Ghibli’s emissaries — Goro Miyazaki (son of Hayao) and Kenichi Yoda — was nevertheless among the most thunderous receptions at the festival. Thierry Fremaux, Cannes’ artistic director, walked across the stage of the Grand Théâtre Lumière filming the long ovation, he said, for a video to send to Miyazaki.
Key evidence in the 'burking' murder trial was 'hidden' from defence lawyers
Disabled Entrepreneur Weaves a Career
Jia Xiufang: 'Caring Mother' Shoulders Social Responsibility
Revealed: Brit tourist, 19, subjected to sex attack in Majorca 'was gang
Yu Chuanya: Mulan on the Ballet Stage
Zhang Dongxiang: Leading Volunteers in Helping Residents Solve Difficulties
2025 Asian Winter Games to highlight environmental protection, technology
Kate Hudson hits the stage to debut songs from her new album Glorious at star
Young Conductor Dedicated to Improving Services on China