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Other Films
by Isao Takahata

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Q: What is "Jarinko Chie"?

Jarinko Chie (Chie the Brat) is a movie directed by Takahata in 1981. Based on the very popular manga by HARUKI Etsumi, it is about a ten year old "the most unfortunate girl in Japan" Chie, who manages her family diner while her unemployed Yakuza father and her mother are separated (this sounds really depressing, but it's actually a very funny comedy). The story is set in Osaka, which has a totally different culture from Tokyo. After the success of the movie, a TV series was made, and Takahata worked as the chief director.

Availablity (in Japanese)

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Q: What is "Goshu the Cellist"?

Goshu"Sero Hiki no Goshu (Goshu the Cellist)" is a movie directed by Takahata. Based on a story by MIYAZAWA Kenji, one of the most loved poet/storytellers in Japan (Miyazaki and Takahata love his works, and have been influenced by him). The movie was made as an independent project by a Japanese animation studio, OH Production, and took 6 years to complete. It is rather difficult to make a Kenji story into a movie (and there are many Japanese just waiting to rip you apart if you screw up), but "Goshu" has been highly acclaimed, and considered one of the best Kenji movies. The story is about a cellist, Goshu, who becomes a better cellist by interacting with animals who visit his home every night.

Availability (in Japanese)

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Q: What is "Yanagawa Horiwari Monogatari"?

An (almost) live action documentary movie written and directed by Takahata, and produced by Miyazaki. This is an independent movie produced by Nibariki (Miyazaki's personal office), with the copyright revenue from "Nausicaa". At first, it was supposed to be an animation film which takes place in the town of Yanagawa. Miyazaki visited Yanagawa, and was impressed by the beautiful town with its canals. At that time, after the success of "Nausicaa", Tokuma wanted to produce another animated movie (of course, they wanted a "Nausicaa" sequel), and Miyazaki was looking for a good project. Miyazaki came up with an idea for a film about high school boys and girls in Yanagawa, and thought that Takahata, who worked as a producer for "Nausicaa", should direct such a film. However, when he visited Yanagawa for research, Takahata came to be more interested in the history of the town, especially how local people fought to preserve the canals which have been a part of the community for a long time, and how they put a great deal of efforts to clean up the once polluted canals. As a result, it became a live action documentary, and Miyazaki decided to spend his own money on it. It took three years for Takahata to complete this film.

Availability (in Japanese)

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