A touring festival of 16 Japanese films has dominated the schedule at the Belcourt Theatre this month. That’s a move that seems to be paying off. The “Castles in the Sky” film festival has brought in heavy crowds that span a broad range of ages.
The movies from director Hayao Miyazaki and his Studio Ghibli have an almost cult following among film buffs, so plenty of the people lining up for tickets are adults familiar with the studio’s reputation for breathtaking images and nuanced storytelling. But there are also lots of moviegoers like young Catherine.
“I can’t wait to see Spirited Away!”
Studio Ghibli is an animation house, and, much like Pixar in the US, it has a knack for engaging both kids and adults. Belcourt Marketing Director Cindy Wall says that’s meant packed houses and far more families than might usually attend a foreign film.
“You know, six and seven year old kids coming at night, reading the subtitles and hearing, seeing the movies in their original Japanese. That’s been really amazing.”
And it’s meant more ticket sales. Final numbers won’t be in until later this week, but Wall calls the festival an “off the charts success” for the Belcourt.
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