The Boy and the Heron

During the Second World War, Mahito has to move to a village where his father is employed building planes for the Japanese army. He spends his time wandering in nature and meets a gray heron. A mysterious tower attracts his attention, and when Mahito and the heron enter it, they transfer into whimsical places. Hayao Miyazaki has come out of retirement and, at 82, he presents a work that relies to some extent on his private biography. "Visually, the film shows Miyazaki at the height of his powers, filling the frame with gorgeous compositions, vibrant color, and arresting movement. As it draws you deeper into its mysteries, The Boy and the Heron becomes richer, stranger, and more profoundly beautiful. This is a singular, transformative experience in film, and not to be missed" (Toronto Fim Festival).