Mirai - UK Premiere confirmed as Gala Film for Family at BFI London Film Festival

Date: 2018 August 30 19:54

Posted by Joe

The good folks from anime distributors Anime Limited have sent us the latest details about their upcoming cinema release of Mirai. Mamoru Hosoda's newest film will receive it's UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival 2018.

Gala screenings will take place on Saturday 13th October 2018 at 15:30 and Sunday 14th October 2018 at 17:45.

Mamouru Hosoda's movies are always excellent and enjoyed by fans. If you can't make it to the BFI in October you can always wait until the national screenings around the UK from 2nd November 2018.

Full Story

Press release as follows:

MAMORU HOSODA'S "MIRAI" WILL RECEIVE ITS UK PREMIERE AT THE BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL 2018.

London, 30th August 2018 - The 62nd BFI London Film Festival announces that Mirai will premiere as the GALA FILM FOR FAMILY at this year's event.

From renowned Japanese Director Mamoru Hosoda (The Boy and The Beast, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars and Wolf Children), Mirai is an ingenious, heartfelt and charming fantasy, which made history this year as the first anime film to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The truest definition of a family film, Mirai will inspire the imaginations of young and old alike and is described in the BFI London Film Festival programme as a, "rapturous and fantastical take on childhood".

Andrew Partridge - President of distribution company Anime Ltd adds, "All of us here at Anime Ltd. fell in love with Mirai the moment we first saw the film, and we're thrilled to be partnering with National Amusements to bring such an important film to cinemas. It is a beautiful and charming work with themes that will be recognisable to anyone, and to have it premiere in the UK as the Gala film for Family at the BFI Film Festival London is a dream come true for us."

Gala screenings will take place on Saturday 13th October 2018 at 15:30 and Sunday 14th October 2018 at 17:45 - for more ticket information please visit the BFI website.


Following its UK premiere at the London Film Festival, Mirai will open on 100 screens across the UK & Ireland from November 2nd.

-Subtitled screenings on 2nd November.

-Dubbed screenings on 4th November.

MIRAI

"Told with skyscraping imagination and such delicate observational wit" ★★★★★ - Robbie Collin

Synopsis:

The birth of a sibling is a joyous time for many, but not for Kun. Four years old and spoilt rotten, he sees the arrival of baby sister Mirai as competition for his parents' love. That is, until magical encounters with an older Mirai and family past, present and future send the siblings on an intimate journey through time and space, to confront Kun's uncertain feelings and prepare him to become the big brother he needs to be.

We Like It Because:

Creating history as the first anime movie to ever premiere at Cannes Film Festival, "Mirai" is the most personal journey yet for director Mamoru Hosoda, whose renown rivals even that of Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away") and Makoto Shinkai ("Your Name").

Having recently become a parent, Mamoru Hosoda draws inspiration from his own family to tell a tale from the unique worldview of a toddler. Intertwining an endearing yet honest portrayal of childhood with wondrous fantasy spectacle, "Mirai" is a triumphant example of the imaginative yet human stories made possible through the medium of anime. Children are sure to delight in Kun's animated personality, whilst parents will find comfort in how true to life the cast is - time-travelling notwithstanding!

Like Makoto Shinkai's "Your Name", Mamoru Hosoda sheds new light on a thematic thread weaved through his other standalone films, exploring another key family dynamic - the bond between brother and sister.

Even the film's stage is inspired by its pint-sized protagonist, with the story largely playing out in the few environments known to a four-year old: the home and garden. Familiar and intimate, the story of generations unfolding in one place brings together the family feel in a subtle, yet powerful way.

"A work of heart-swelling beauty and considerable charm" - Screen Daily

"A remarkable blend of the ingenious and the heartfelt" - Little White Lies

"Told with skyscraping imagination and such delicate observational wit" ★★★★★ - Robbie Collin


Key Talent:

Director & Screenplay: Mamoru Hosoda ("The Girl Who Leapt Through Time")
Producer: Yuichiro Saito ("Summer Wars")
Art Directors: Takashi Omori and Yohei Takamatsu ("From Up On Poppy Hill")
Music: Masakatsu Takagi ("Wolf Children")
Animation Production: Studio Chizu ("The Boy and the Beast")

Stars:

Haru Kuroki ("The Case of Hana & Alice")
Moka Kamishiraishi
Gen Hoshino ("Night is Short, Walk on Girl")
Kōji Yakusho ("Astro Boy")
Kumiko Asou ("Miss Hokusai")