The Boy and the Heron is the coming-of-age story of a young boy, Mahito, who ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead and yearns for his mother. This semi-autobiographical fantasy from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki grows into a simultaneously universal and personal contemplation on the boundary between life and death.
Genre: animation, adventure, drama
Language: Japanese, subtitles: English
Miyazaki's twelfth feature film is a multi-layered, overwhelming experience that combines all of the animator's obsessions: from endlessly escaping into fantasy worlds, to reflecting on the atrocities of World War II, to coming to terms with family trauma, to learning to love both humans and nature.
The Boy and the Heron is also known as "How Do You Live?" and is filled with hand-drawn animation. Director Hayao Miyazaki is the co-founder of the famous Ghibli Studios and his impressive body of work includes films such as Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle. He came out of retirement to make this film for his grandson. Will this be his last…?
The SG Film Committee recommends this movie because it is the last Miyazaki (from Studio Ghibli) will make. Whether you like lighthearted animation or want a great plot with many layers, you will enjoy this movie!
Don’t miss your chance to see and be enchanted by this cinematic beauty on the big screen.
Awards
Winner of the Audience Award at Imagine Film Festival. And nominated for two Golden Globes: Best Original Score, Motion Picture and Best Motion Picture, Animated.
Reviews
“The Boy and the Heron is a treat for the eyes, the ears and the mind. Or the soul, if you prefer.” Original-Cin
“Miyazaki remains the greatest living animator today, period.” Rolling Stone
“The film’s fantasy elements look absolutely beautiful, and they naturally include shots of the classic impossibly delicious-looking Ghibli food.” Polygon
“Miyazaki is one of the world's most creative cinematic souls.” FilmFest Gent.
Same film with introduction and USE/ITEC
On Tuesday 27 February, this film will also be shown in Filmhuis De Zwarte Doos with an introduction. Only on Tuesday can bachelor students register for USE/ITEC.
You can order a ticket for the Tuesday showing via this link. For Monday and Wednesday, just use the black order button on this page.
Ticket information
This film will be shown at Filmhuis De Zwarte Doos. Buying a ticket online in advance is mandatory if you want to attend this film. You can buy a ticket by clicking on the black “order” button on this page.
Please note: you can only buy a ticket online; tickets cannot be purchased with cash or bank card at the ticket counter.
For more general information about tickets, refund policies, etc., please click here.
Please be on time
The screening of the film starts at 19:30 sharp (no pre-film advertisements) and the cinema hall opens at 19:10. We kindly ask you to be at the ticket counter at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the film. This is to ensure the film starts and ends on time.
The Studium Generale film program is selected in collaboration with the Student Film Committee and Natlab.