An amazing monetization for animation happened this past month during the 2024 Golden Globes as “The Boy and The Heron” won the title for Best Animated Movie. Directed by the brilliant Hayao Miyazaki, known for his work with Studio Ghibli, this film not only stands out for its extraordinary storytelling but also for its achievement in cinematography. What sets this movie apart from the rest is it is the first hand-drawn film to reach #1 at the US box office since ‘Princess and The Frog’.
‘The Boy and The Heron’ dives into the subject of life itself and how it is that you face obstacles life throws at you and you can move on from them. This message is highlighted in the alternate name of the film “How Do You Live?”. Hayao Miyazaki artfully uses symbolism to show the audience other works of his. These references represent the inspiration Miyazaki takes from other memorable Studio Ghibli films which show where Miyazaki gets his ideas and creativity from. This is a very moving movie that dives into the topic of depression and creation, mirroring the personal struggles of the director. Like the boy in the movie, Miyazaki has faced similar hardships and his way of overcoming them is making movies others can enjoy. Similarly, the protagonist in the film uses his imagination to prevail over distressing situations in his life. All in all, this movie shows the director’s message that often peaks out in most of his films, that creativity is unique to you and your experiences.
This film marks Hayao Miazaki’s first Golden Globe triumph, which is also an achievement made more exciting because of the movie’s roots in Miyazaki’s own childhood. Beyond this, The Boy and The Heron came out at a really interesting point in animation history. Today, the animation is influenced by the combination of 3D and 2D animation techniques shown in movies like ‘Spider-Verse’ and ‘Super Mario’. Many new movies have been using these techniques to create more captivating films for the audience to enjoy. However, this movie’s victory sends a message to the animation community that you don’t necessarily need elaborate animation to create a captivating film. One of the main reasons why The Boy and The Heron won was because of its creative and engaging storytelling that people of all ages can relate to and love.
