The boy and the Heron

TRAUMA & GROWTH

Mahito, a young boy starts a complex journey between trauma and inner exploration. He stands fiercly in front of the continual change our environment imposes and he bravely grabs every opportunity of growth. Heron plays the neutral role of a distant guide in life. His appearance change as the time goes by. At the beggining he is impressive with shiny large wings, while later his real identity is being revealed. He transforms into an obnoxious and creepy but harmless creature that follows Mahito throughout his quest.

YOUTHNESS & MATURITY

The old man wearing black clothes, whose only responsibility is to protect the universe through the balancing of a block tower, seems to represent the weight of the empirical knowledge that older generations feel the need to inherit to the younger ones. However, the blocks are white symbolizing the need for the new generations to explore life themnselves. Moreover, this architectural masterpiece is always on the verge of falling apart which hilights the fluidity of the decisions we make and their results...

GREEDINESS & GRATITUDE

The king of human looking parrots shows up as a greedy character who wants to take over control. In contrast with the reserved old man he appears proud and arrogant. Impacient and malicious as he is he grabs the blocks and tries to make them balance causing the collapse of this magical world. Reminding to all of us the dark side of humanity and the violence we have to deal with in order to survive.

LIFE THROUGH THE EYES OF HAYAO

The original title of the movie "How do you live?" seems to be the question Miyazaki asigns the audience to answer. How do we manage a balance in a life that suffering seems essential or at least inevitable? With which inner means and values we protect ourselves?

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