The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013) User Reviews

A real life glimpse into the idealistic, childlike and peace-loving animation maestro

[Kicino · 8/10 · 30 August 2014]

A very impressive and honest portrayal of the great Japanese animation creator/director Hayao Miyazaki. Documentary director Mami Sunada shadowed the animation director as he created his latest work – When the Wind Rises. Sunada seemed to have full access to the studio and home of the director, taping company meetings, interviewing and recording some of the 400 employees at work at the Ghibli Studio in west Tokyo. Interspersed in the latest development of the script and creation process were the complicated relationship, partnership and friendship between Miyazaki and Isao Takahada, who bought Miyazaki into the field of animation years ago. He was directing the animation The Tale of Princess Kaguya which was scheduled to show in Japan the same year as When the Wind Rises. Never to be missed was the portrayal of micro- managing producer Toshio Suzuki who had been working between the two giants for more than half of a century.

It is moving watching archive footages of these three young men working closely for and dedicated more than half of their lives to this field. Long terms friends and work partners, they have gradually grown into three graceful yet a little stubborn artists. You cannot help but admire their respect for their passion. Also valuable was how candid Miyazaki was in front of the camera, revealing his philosophy, emotions, contradiction, hesitation and imagination. At 72, he is still lively and fun as a child and dreams of all kind of crazy ideas. Excellent editing here to insert clips of the animation which made his dreams come true. We also see his deepest respect for life and ordinary things around him. In many ways, he reminds me of the grandfather in Heidi: A Girl from the Alps, directed by Takahata in 1974, particularly when Miyazaki has his apron on almost all the time.

I watched this after visiting the exhibition on Studio Ghibli Layout Designs: Understanding the secrets of Takahata and Miyazaki Animation at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. It was much less interesting than the visit to the Ghibli Studio in Tokyo but the exhibit offered a closer look at some of the tediously detailed hand-drawn artwork which I later saw in this film.

Similar to Miyazaki's animation work, the studio was warm and filled with natural light. The work style is informal, fun and loving though Miyazaki can be hard to work with at times. It looks like a fun place to work. Now, having learned more about how Miyazaki created his various animation works, I would sure watch his work again in new lights.

Unforgettable

[donieda · 9/10 · 7 July 2014]

Wonderful and insightful movie about Hayao Miyazaki's life and work at the famous Studio Ghibli, responsible for animation classics such as "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Spirited Away", during the making of Oscar-nominated "The Wind Rises", his most personal work to date and presumably the last. The documentary offers many personal views from the director, with plenty of photographs and archive footage, and also incredible shots of the strenuous process of making traditional hand-draw animation. At 72 years old, and facing a possible retirement, Miyazaki still manages to instill hope for more to come. Beautifully done.

A must for Ghibli fans

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 15 October 2015]

THE KINGDOM OF DREAMS AND MADNESS is a documentary exploring the dying days of Studio Ghibli and in particular lead animator Hayao Miyazaki. Set during the making of THE WIND RISES, this is a reflective journey, tinged with sadness and nostalgia, that sees the famed cartoonist looking back over his life and work as well as discussing the challenges of both present and future.

Needless to say, this is a must see for anybody who considers themselves a fan of Studio Ghibli. Unlike western-made documentaries, this takes the straightforward approach of simply grabbing a camera, following Miyazaki and his crew around, and asking the occasional question. The unobtrusive approach works well, somehow getting you into the heart and soul of the studio, and it feels refreshing for there to be no talking head interviews, no movie clips interspersed into the narrative. Somehow, THE KINGDOM OF DREAMS AND MADNESS manages to capture a little of the Studio Ghibli magic itself.

There is Magic in his world

[rolfesam · 9/10 · 15 October 2016]

If you love films as a passion go watch this.

If you love films as an art go watch this.

If you love animation go watch this.

If you want to see a glimpse of the magic of film go watch this.

This documentary is something special. If you don't know already this documentary follows one of the greatest animators of all time, Hayao Miyazaki, as he works on what is likely his last film, the Oscar-nominated 'The Wind Rises".

This small peak behind the scenes is something of an oddity among documentaries. Where as so many documentaries are focused on presenting the facts of a topic to light in a way that is both non- biased and easy to understand 'The Kingdom of Dreams and Magic' prefers to forgo this and instead attempt to provide emotion to its viewers as well as leave a lot of subjects and stories untouched or unfinished in a way that makes me think that the documentary film makers behind the camera never had any intention in attempting to make the famed studio Ghibli any less magical. I have to believe that this was done purposefully to protect the magic of the studio to which the title of this documentary alludes.

If you are reading this and wondering why I'm being so vague about describing the actual goings on of the documentary it is because I feel the emotion of what I saw in this film can never be translated properly to the written word.

If you ever watched a movie of Hayao Miyazaki then watch this flick, it will only make you respect the man, the studio, and the films even more.

The last days of Studio Ghibli

[Mozjoukine · 16 June 2014]

Detailed observational doco filmed in Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Gibli building. The studio cat gets as much screen time as Takahata working down the road on The TALE of PRINCESS KAGYUA.

The bulk of the footage covers Miyazaki finalizing AS the WIND RISES working in his computer free headquarters, recording voice tracks and music and showing the finished film to his staff.The only person in a suit is the legal rep.

Not an unblemished study, as this is likely to be the last film of both these major figures in animation, the record of their work has an extra, slightly melancholy feeling.

My Childhood

[dmdebruyn · 9/10 · 10 June 2020]

This was a deeply moving look at the work ethic and - dare I say - the spirit of Hayao Miyazaki. Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most inspirational storytellers of all time, and if you haven't already seen his movies, I recommend checking out at least one if not all of them if you're a regular filmgoer or an aspiring filmmaker. The Ghibli movies were an eye-opening experience for me growing up, and even now, I consider them to be very influential, especially those by Miyazaki. Knowing how special they were, and given how nostalgic I was feeling, I really really wanted to cry after watching this documentary, as silly as that sounds. I hope Miyazaki finishes his next movie, 'How Do You Live?' I look forward to seeing it if it comes out.

Made me jealous and want to draw more

[Mmpelit · 7/10 · 25 December 2016]

I really like Studio Ghibli movies. I never thought how they were made before this documentary and now I appreciate them even more due to the effort goes into them.

Ghibli Studio looks really amazing with the spiral stairs and the cool rooftop but as far as I understand, Miyazaki is not the best boss in the world. Throughout the documentary, I never witnessed him giving a praise or liking some work. He seems rather pessimistic to me. I would never have guessed this from the movies he made.

I really admired how tediously he works. It is said that he works from 11 to 9 6 days a week. This motivated me to work more and be more disciplined.

Truly inspirational movie for anyone who is interested in any type of art. I think it shows the good and bad sides of working in the art industry.

Hello, please allow me to observe you working.

[Petelecaster · 10/10 · 26 October 2016]

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness stays true to its name, offering a deep, touching, and realistic insight into the dreams and madness rampant in the production of Hayao Miyazaki's 'last' masterpiece, 'The Wind Rises'.

To the surprise of many, the documentary doesn't dive into Studio Ghibli's rich heritage. With the exception of Miyazaki's partnership with Isao Takahata, we learn little to nothing of his life, family, education, and works. Even less documented is the production process from concept to film. If you're looking for structure, biopsy, behind the scenes, and feel-good tangents, this is not it.

'Hello, please allow me to observe you working.' - the hanging note in the opening scenes summarizes the film's 'unobtrusive' approach. Unlike the typical American documentary, the Kingdom of Dreams and Madness drops the head-on interviews, spotlights, and overall busy atmosphere, in favour of capturing the routine of the team at Ghibli. Lacking the excitement and glorification one would expect from such a talented budget, the already 120 minute long time line feels slow. Watching sometimes feels as tedious as the animation process itself. Though, the result is a treasure: an unbiased look at what it means to be, and work for Miyazaki; the crew's timid involvement allows Miyazaki to open up, giving us an unexpected glimpse into what goes on in his head, and leads to a touching, raw, understanding of 'the suffering of film making'.

There's one thing to take away from The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness: Miyazaki's philosophy. In a place where we expect happiness, motivation, and fusion, we instead find cynicism, bitterness, frustration, and chaos. Albeit delivered politely and comically, Miyazaki's words are not what we expect to hear. Through rants about bowing to not being able to draw A6M Zero's, Miyazaki channels his surrender within the modern world. 'Today, all of humanity's dreams are cursed somehow'. You can't create your own happiness, because you cannot control how others see your creations. 'The notion that one's goal in life is to be happy, that your own happiness is the goal... I just don't buy it.'

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness is nothing you would expect, and everything you need to know. At first hard to follow, it quickly immerses you in a philosophical trance. Be sure to leave time to ponder at this solid 10.

Surprisingly depressing.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 4 December 2014]

Before I watched this documentary about Studio Ghibli and its creator, Hayao Miyazaki, I knew very little about the man but loved his films. Now, after having seen this movie, I kind of wish I hadn't. After all, in my mind, I assumed that Ghibli must have been some sort of magical place where fun and fantasy skipped hand in hand. However, it turned out to be a very different sort of film--a bit slow and amazingly downbeat!

The style of this documentary by Mami Sunada is rather free-form. It does not offer a chronological discussion of the history of Miyazaki or the studio. Instead, it just lets the staff of Ghibli (mostly but not exclusively Miyazaki) talk and there isn't much in the way of structure. At times, you hear folks talk about some of this history, but people wanting this sort of film should look elsewhere. So much of the film consists of behind the scenes discussions--some of which really surprised me. If Miyazaki didn't like someone or their work, he said so without being particularly diplomatic about this. And, to be fair, some of his employees talked about him in less than glowing terms and felt free to do so! But what really got me was how the man seemed to have an extremely depressive personality. It's not going out on a limb to draw that conclusion, either, with his comments throughout the film such as "I don't ever feel happy in my daily life" and "filmmaking only brings suffering". Wow...kind of a downer, don't you think? He also very candidly said that he didn't think the studio would survive after his death or with his son in charge. Ouch.

So is this documentary any good? Well, it all depends. If you want honesty, and too often biopics are incredibly dishonest, this one is honest...showing Miyazaki warts and all. However, if you want to enjoy a documentary or feel uplifted, you'd best try something else.

I can't imagine my childhood without Miyazaki

[alansabljakovic-39044 · 8/10 · 18 February 2020]

Mostly magical movie of my life. I cried when he wrote that letter. Miyazaki is on of the few artists in this modern world and we need to appreciate him for that. Legends never die.

Pretty cool documentary, though has some flaws

[williambendavis-933-218958 · 7/10 · 31 March 2015]

Overall, I really liked this documentary, but it does have some problems I can't ignore. As someone who loves Studio Ghibli, it was really cool to see how the films I love are made, even if it only shows creation scenes from The Wind Rises. Seeing how animation legends like Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata go about their days, I felt, were fairly interesting. What I didn't like, however, was that it didn't go super deep into how other Ghibli films were made, it doesn't go that deep into how the company was formed, and Miyazaki and Takahata never really talk about their own films. I would have loved to hear what inspired them to make those films and what it meant to them personally. But, then again, I don't think they were even going for that. I just think the movie would have been more interesting if they had done what I wanted. Anyway, despite these flaws, I would still recommend this movie. Only to those who love Ghibli though. Everyone else will be quite bored.

An interesting and engaging documentary about animation and the creative process

[Jeremy_Urquhart · 8/10 · 27 July 2023]

While I wait and see whether The Boy and the Heron (AKA How Do You Live?) will get a cinema release here in Australia, I thought I'd check out this documentary about Studio Ghibli. It's called The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness, but definitely focuses more on the dreams than the madness. The madness is talked about for sure, but the dreaminess of the creative environment that is Studio Ghibli is front and center, and I didn't mind that approach. That's clearly what the documentary was going for, and it nailed that vibe. A similarly detailed documentary on the madness and frustrations could've been interesting, but it would have been an entirely different watch.

Instead, this is simply a very gentle documentary, much in the same way that Hayao Miyazaki's films are largely soothing (at least 80-90% of the time). His worldview is also fascinating - sometimes dark, but almost always honest and understandable. Some of his musings on life reminded me of Agnes Varda's documentaries, in a good way, where part of what made her such a great documentary filmmaker was the way she let the viewer appreciate and understand her unique creative outlook on life. Miyazaki himself didn't direct this, but The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness gives him a similar opportunity to present such thoughts and feelings.

It's been out for 10 years, so anyone who's a fan of Miyazaki and the late Isao Takahata (who's definitely not in this as much as I thought he'd be) has probably already seen it. Much of the focus is on The Wind Rises, which makes me feel like I should revisit it. I'm definitely keen to see his newest film, whenever that gets released outside Japan.

Also, I did love Ushiko, the cat that hangs around Studio Ghibli (but still generally stays away from the sometimes grumpy head honcho, Hayao Miyazaki).

Review of The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness

[kennybass-25907 · 7/10 · 19 October 2015]

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness is a documentary following the life of legendary anime writer Hayao Miyazaki. This documentary focuses on the mannerisms, quirks, and what drives Miyazaki to do what he does as both an artist and a storyboard creator. The ideal audience for this film would obviously be fans of the works of Hayao Miyazaki, but even if you are not familiar with his works you could still watch it and get full enjoyment out of it. Before you watch this film I do recommend watching other films by Miyazaki such as Spirited Away, The Wind Rises, and My Neighbor Totoro, so as to gain understanding of his style.

While watching this film you may notice the great detail Miyazaki goes into in each aspect of his life, both professional and personal. Notice the way he writes his storyboards diligently every day, or watches the sunset every evening. Miyazaki is not one to leave others to do his work for him while he sits idly by. The documentary focuses on the struggles he has pushed through to be as successful as he currently is, though I doubt he would own up to his success due to his humility.

Miyazaki writes more than stories, he writes metaphors and wisdom. If you watch this film with an open eye you will see the symbolism that seems to be prevalent throughout his movies. The way the camera will focus on the sunset or close in on a phrase seen on the wall all have inverse meanings. Keep your eyes open and you will see between the blurred lines of the camera lens. A main point Miyazaki pushes is to not lose focus on the deeper meaning of his grand tales because they are animated and supposedly for children.

This film notes that in his youth Miyazaki lived through an air raid that left him with an awe and appreciation towards flight. Specifically in the A6M3 Zero or just Zero aircraft which he has had an addiction to draw perfectly for many years now. During the film Miyazaki follows the life of Jiro Horikoshi, the creator of the Zero and notes that all of men's dreams are cursed. He believes that no matter what you do or create, it will eventually be used for evil. Miyazaki even believes that philosophy about his own works.

Miyazaki feels that the government has become too restrictive of what he can and cannot write about which makes him even more militant to what he wants to write. Though he is vigorous, his vigor will one day run out and he fears there will not be anyone to take his place. In my humble opinion I would say this film is very informative and exciting to the audience it is trying to reach. Others may find it dragging in some places, but may still find it intriguing.

Yes, it IS surprisingly downbeat

[LilyDaleLady · 3/10 · 22 September 2015]

I was majorly disappointed in this documentary about legendary animator Hiyao Miyazaki and his famous Studio Ghibli (that produced such iconic animated films as My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke to name a few.

First let me say that I near-worship Miyazaki. When I first found his work in the mid-90s, I had a fantasy of flying to Japan, prostrating myself at the front door of Studio Ghibli and begging for a job as the lowest underling -- sweeping floors, making tea -- just to be near the artists & their work. OK, a silly mid-life fantasy. But still. I adored them, and I still consider Miyazaki the most pre-eminent animator of the last 35 years, and Studio Ghibli makes Disney, Pixar and Dreamworks look a bit lame (his hand drawn animation blasts their computer graphics into space dust).

But this documentary is the epitome of bad documentaries. It's fragmented. It's boring. If you have not seen most of films, it won't even make sense. They give no framework for understanding WHO he is or why he is important (or why his presumed retirement is an irreplaceable loss for the world of animation). A good documentary could be on rice farmers in the Sub-Sahara, and be seen by someone who has never heard of them, and actually make you understand and appreciate the subject. This documentary does the OPPOSITE -- it took someone and something I absolutely adore and revere, and made them more boring than math homework.

For starters, the film is in Japanese, and they thought so little of it as to not dub any of it. It's grueling to watch. (There is more footage of the studio's adorable snub-tailed cat than Miyazaki!) The subtitles are so poorly done, you often cannot read them against the backdrops. This is inexcusable. It would have taken very little effort to have the narration dubbed into English.

About all I got out of this (besides meeting their cat!) was that the studio itself is interesting - - a light filled and charmingly modest space. We also see what I THINK was Miyazaki's home (they do not make it clear) and again, it's a large and homey space, but nothing fancy. I imagine if one toured the home of John Lassiter or Brad Bird or any Disney exec, you'd see something on an entirely different scale of bling. You get to see nature surrounding Studio Ghibli and the rooftop garden, which is a glimpse into the natural beauty often reflected in the films. That much is nice. But there isn't too much of it.

Most of the film is the rather dark and depressing personality of MIyazaki. Good thing I never became his gofer/tea girl, because I thought he would be a warm, grandfatherly person full of light and imagination. Ummm....not. He's an "end of the world" type, and strikes me as depressed. His colleagues and co-workers come off as non-entities (though I am sure they do important work). I was surprised not to see evidence of his family (besides the son, Goro, whom Miyazaki makes painfully clear is not talented enough to take over the studio). Supposedly Miyazaki based the characters of May, Seitsuke, Kiki and San on his granddaughters. They must be young adults by now. It would have been nice to have seen them or at least some photos of his family. (If he is married, they do not mention his wife.)

I have probably seen films like Totoro and Kiki 10-12 times each, if not more and remain fascinated with all Miyazaki's work. I like some better than others, but all of them form a rich cultural treasure chest. THIS documentary -- I fell asleep somewhere around the last third. FELL ASLEEP. It is unbelievably dull. How you can make such a fascinating person dull is beyond me.

An outstanding documentary, stream of consciousness

[safenoe · 9/10 · 29 October 2016]

I've seen only one Studio Ghibli movie, and that was Porco Rosso, one of the earlier features of Studio Ghibli. I like behind-the-scenes documentaries and The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness is a maudlin, very insightful look at Hayao Miyazaki and his thoughts and philosophy about animation. I especially liked the juxtaposition with the loyal cat at the Studio, the outside greenery, the transmission towers. It's sort of a stream of consciousness and we get an insight into one of the great animation directors of our time.

We also see Hayao's loyal PA and the other staff members, who take exercise breaks led by Hayao.

Seeing the lights go out on the Studio was sad and reminded me when the tents folded for good in the M*A*S*H.

Essential Viewing For Studio Ghibli Fans

[CinemaClown · 21 June 2020]

Crafted with serenity, told with affection, and exquisitely capturing the routines & creative process inside one of the greatest & most honoured animation studios on the planet, The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness delves into the life & philosophy of the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, and follows him around as he attempts to bring his then-final film to completion.

Directed by Mami Sunada, the documentary is mainly focused on Miyazaki but it also provides a rare glimpse into the working atmosphere within Studio Ghibli in addition to the essential role of Toshio Suzuki as producer. Isao Takahata is often mentioned but seldom seen. But the studio employees do talk about the friendly rivalry between the two artists and how each has inspired the other.

Although we don't get to see much of the production for The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, the storyboarding, sketching, animation & premiere of The Wind Rises is depicted in apt detail. Through the interviews, archive photos & historical info, it also illustrates the contribution of Miyazaki, Takahata & Suzuki in making Studio Ghibli the animation powerhouse it is, and ponders over its doubtful future once the masters are gone.

The calm, peaceful & untroubled camerawork mirrors the essence of Ghibli films, with small & simple details uplifting our emotional resonance with the imagery. Miyazaki's cheery persona, playful jibes & childlike excitement is both heartening & inspiring to watch but it also highlights the staff's difficulties with meeting the visionary's demands. And the last scene, a brief montage of his films, really sums up what Miyazaki & his films are all about.

Overall, The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness is as endearing as it is enchanting, and is a must for every Studio Ghibli fan out there. My only gripe with it is that it isn't very long, for I could've watched these artists work & share their wisdom for more than just a couple hours. A beautiful, heartwarming & endlessly captivating delight that invites its audience on hallowed grounds and offers an exclusive with the wizard most responsible for its success, this documentary is essential viewing.