Howl's Moving Castle is considered a masterpiece from Ghibli. The film has such depth and excellent animation that even after nearly two decades, the impression on fans' hearts cannot be forgotten. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the film's release, Ghibli re-released the film in the United States.
Howl's Moving Castle re-release in the United States
Studio Ghibli is bringing "Howl's Moving Castle" back to the big screen in the United States to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Howl's Moving Castle will be re-released in theaters from September 26 to October 3, 2024, marking 20 years since its original release in 2004. The event is part of the Studio Ghibli 2024 festival, which will take place in the United States from April to December. Audiences will be able to enjoy the film in two versions: a Japanese dub and the original English version, along with special content that has never been revealed before.
The film, also known as “ Howl’s Moving Castle,” is adapted from the novel of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones and is a notable work by director Hayao Miyazaki. Ghibli also announced that “Howl’s Moving Castle” is one of 14 of its animated films that will be re-screened at the Studio Ghibli Fest 2024 event.
Why is Howl's Moving Castle so popular?
Howl's Moving Castle tells the story of Sophie, a girl who was turned into an old woman by the Witch of the Waste and must find a way to break the curse. On that journey, she comes to live in the moving castle of Howl, a handsome and mysterious wizard. There, Sophie meets many strange characters such as Calcifer - the spirit of the castle, Markl - Howl's assistant, and together they face difficult challenges. Sophie accompanies Howl to fight against the king - who forces him to participate in meaningless battles.
The film is an anti-war film, deeply influenced by Miyazaki's stance against the US invasion of Iraq. Director Miyazaki expressed "extreme anger" at the war and wanted to create a film that he believed might not be well received by American audiences. In addition, the film also contains feminist elements and sends a message about the importance of compassion. Miyazaki shared in 2013 that this was his favorite work of his career, with the desire to convey the message that "life is always worth living" - a value that has not changed. Compared to the original, the film has many differences, while the book emphasizes rejecting class and gender norms, the adaptation focuses more on love and the consequences of war.
The profound messages hidden in the film Howl's Moving Castle have made critics continuously give them compliments. The film has maintained its position in the hearts of fans over the years, who are eagerly awaiting the upcoming anniversary re-release. The work has won many prestigious awards at international film festivals, including the Nebula Award for Best Screenplay and a nomination at the 78th Academy Awards.
