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.

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 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.

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.