Film: From Up On Poppy Hill (U)

Another charming story brought to you by Studio Ghibli, as a group of Yokohama teens work tirelessly to save their school clubhouse from being torn down before the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Goro Miyazaki, son of famous filmmaker Hayao Miyasaki, presents us with a strong young central character Umi, who is constantly balancing school life and motherly responsibilities at home, her actual mother being away in America. Even though Studio Ghibli excel at relaying simple yet sometimes enchanting tales through a child’s perspective, From Up On Poppy Hill does not quite live up to some of its predecessors. Despite a rather dubious, jarring twist involving teen romance, parts of it are innocent and delightful.

Released Friday 2 August 2013

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