Howl's Moving Castle

Director: MIYAZAKI Hayao
2004, Animation Division, 119'
Excellence Prize, 8th Japan Media Arts Festival
© 2004 NIBARIKIT-GNDDDT

The story is about a young woman named Sophie who is cursed by a witch so that her body becomes that of a ninety-year-old woman. After fleeing her mother's house to avoid being seen by her family, Sophie sets out to catch the mobile residence of the wizard Howl, a flamboyant despoiler of young women.The film is a visual delight, conjured forth in the beautiful hand-drawn style for which MIYAZAKI is famous for. The film was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 78th Academy Awards in 2006.