Japanese film director and animator Hayao Miyazaki is the visionary mind behind such classics as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro And Princess Mononoke. Over a career spanning several decades, Miyazaki has become synonymous with Studio Ghibli, the animation studio he co-founded. His films are renowned for their intricate storytelling, well-developed characters and stunningly detailed hand-drawn animation. His visual style is instantly recognizable, transcending language and cultural barriers. He was due to retire after the end of this year. Boy and heronbut fortunately it seems he has changed his mind.

Like most great directors, Miyazaki is also an avid film fan, having praised many films over the years. His tastes are eclectic and span everything from Soviet films to Spanish war dramas and, of course, animation. These films received Miyazaki’s approval; Most likely, fans of his respected work will also like them.

10 “Spirit of the Hive” (1973)

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Image via Bocaccio Distribution

Debut feature film by a Spanish director Victor Erice, Hive Spirit widely considered a landmark of Spanish cinema.. The film is set in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War and revolves around a young girl named Ana (Ana Torrent), who is fascinated by the 1931 film Frankenstein after a screening in her remote village. Ana’s fascination with the story leads her to explore the desolate countryside, where she encounters a wounded soldier hiding in an abandoned barn.

The film explores the harsh realities of post-war Spain, cleverly juxtaposing Ana’s innocent imagination with the cruelty of the adult world. Poetic and meditative, the film is rich in symbolism and allegories, lending itself to endless interpretation. Miyazaki included it in his top ten favorite films, and it’s easy to see why.

Watch on the Criterion Channel

9 “Priest of Darkness” (1936)

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Priest of Darkness one of three surviving films by the Japanese director. Sadao Yamanakapioneer Jidaigeki, or historical, subgenre. The story takes place in a poor area of ​​Tokyo in the early 1800s. The plot centers on Kochiyama Soshun (Chojuro Kawarasaki), a Yakuza leader with a fiery temper but a moral code. While he earns money by betting, his wife Oshizu (Shizue Yamagishi), runs a tavern. The situation becomes more complicated after the samurai’s blade is stolen.

Yamanaka was an influential director, responsible for some of the best Japanese films of all time, inspiring such legends as Akira Kurosawa, Kenji MizoguchiAnd Yasujiro Ozu. His films are minimalist and tender, with striking cinematography and dynamic pacing. Priest of Darkness was another film that made Miyazaki’s top ten films.

8 “The Snow Queen” (1957)

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The Snow Queen – Soviet animated film directed by Lev Atamanov.based Hans Christian Andersenfairy tale. It tells the story of Gerda, a girl who goes on a heroic journey to rescue her friend Kai, who has been captured by the Snow Queen and held captive in her ice palace. Throughout her quest, Gerda meets many magical and memorable characters who help her along the way, including a talking raven and a kind-hearted robber girl.

The film is known for its exquisite hand-drawn animation and memorable character designs. “When I watched a Soviet film The Snow Queen“I was very glad that I became an animator,” Miyazaki said. “I thought there could be no more wonderful thing than creating such a wonderful world – no, to be able to create perhaps an even more wonderful world. ” The Snow Queen ranks among the most gritty fairy tale films, proving that the medium of animation opens the door to many interpretations and possibilities.

7 “Ashes and Diamonds” (1958)

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This Polish film, set immediately after World War II, depicts the existential crisis faced by young resistance fighter Maciek (Zbigniew Cybulski), who was tasked with assassinating the Soviet-backed communist leader. Maciek grapples with issues of ideology, loyalty, and the blurred lines between good and evil. Through him, the film explores the political turmoil and disillusionment in post-war Poland.

Ashes and diamonds often called the best work of Polish realism. and one of the best films of 1958. Miyazaki named it one of his favorite films, which his father took him to see when he was a boy. “My father was a passionate film fan. He often took me to the movies from an early age,” explains Miyazaki. “I remember Ozu’s films, Vittorio De Sica’s Bicycle thief. Andrzej Wajda’s Ashes and diamonds, Bresson’s Magazine “Cure de Campagne”. I remember them much better than Westerns or action films.”

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6 “Ballad of a Soldier” (1959)

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Young soldier Alyosha (Vladimir Ivashov) receives a medal for his heroism, but asks to visit his mother instead. He’s granted a short leave of absence, so he sets off on a journey across war-torn Russia to see her, no easy task as German bombs continue to fall. In the process, Alyosha meets many characters, each of whom has their own story of love, loss and sacrifice.

Ballad of a Soldier is among the most critically acclaimed Soviet films and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The story is more nuanced than most similar stories and the technical skill was praised. It also ranked among Miyazaki’s top ten films, confirming the director’s interest in political stories that explore the enormous cost that the decisions of the few inflict on the many.

Watch on the Criterion Channel

5 “The Curious Adventures of Mr. Wonderbird” (1952)

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Paul Grimaud The Curious Adventures of Mr. Wonderbird it’s a quirky french movie and one of the best animated films of all time. It’s about a chimney sweep and a shepherdess who try to escape from a ruthless dictator with the help of the Wonder Bird (voiced by Petr Ustinov). Grimaud is a beloved animation character, and this is one of his most notable works.

“When I was much younger, I was greatly influenced by the French animator Paul Grimaud, and that hasn’t changed even now,” Miyazaki said. Indeed, traces of Grimaud’s influence can be seen in several of Miyazaki’s films. He directly refers Mr. Wonderbird V Lupine III: The Castle of Cagliostroand metal gardeners in Miyazaki’s house castle in the sky similar to some characters.

4 “Blood Spilled at Takadanobaba” (1928)

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Along with Yamanaka, another key figure in the development Jidaigeki was director Daisuke Ito. Ito primarily worked during the silent era and was known for his idiosyncratic shooting style, which involved a highly mobile camera. Miyazaki is a fan of his film Blood splatter in Takadanobaba. Inspired by true events, it focuses on the dispossessed samurai Nakayama Yasubei, who comes to the aid of his uncle and finds himself in a brutal duel with many opponents.

Only part of the film has survived, but Blood splatter in Takadanobaba filled with humor and energy, making it one of the best samurai films. It’s unstable, but it only enhances the effect of the sword fighting. Blood splatter in Takadanobaba remains an intriguing early example of the samurai film, hinting at the more accomplished films that would later be made in the subgenre.

3 “The King and the Mockingbird” (1980)

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The King and the Mockingbird is another Grimaud film that Miyazaki praises. It’s actually based on the same story as The Curious Adventures of Mr. Wonderbird and represents a more refined and complete version of this idea. The action takes place in the kingdom of Takicardia, where an arrogant king and his army of robots rule with an iron fist. However, a brave shepherdess and a brave chimney sweep set out on a journey to challenge the repressive regime. They are helped in their quest by a wise and elusive mockingbird, whose song holds the key to freeing the kingdom.

Now highly regarded The King and the Mockingbird had a huge influence on Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.. “We were shaped by the films and directors of the 1950s. At that time I started watching a lot of films. One of the directors who really influenced me was the French animator Paul Grimaud,” he said. “It was thanks to watching [The King and the Mockingbird] that I realized how necessary it is to use space vertically.”

2 “Hedgehog in the Fog” (1975)

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Hedgehog in the fog – another Soviet animated film, this time directed by Yuri Norshtein. A simple and timeless story about an adorable hedgehog named Hedgehog who goes on a mysterious journey through a dense, foggy forest to visit his friend Bear, who is constantly being stalked by a menacing eagle owl. Hedgehog must face his fears and insecurities as he travels through a fog-shrouded world filled with mysterious creatures and surreal landscapes.

A masterpiece of surreal cinema. Hedgehog in the fog This is a revolutionary animation classic. Norshtein’s inspired use of animation and storytelling techniques creates a memorable, dreamlike atmosphere. Here the fog almost becomes a character in its own right. The film is beloved in the former Soviet Union and has fans around the world. Miyazaki noted it as an influence and listed it among his twenty-five favorite films. Although their visual styles are completely different, much of Norstein and Miyazaki’s work has a similar spirit.

1 “Tale of Tales” (1979)

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Another Norstein film that Miyazaki included among his twenty-five favorites is the 1979 film. Tale of Tales. It consists of a series of vignettes depicting various memories. They unfold non-linearly, like in a dream, which was meant to be reminiscent of how real memories feel. Various characters recur in the episodes, including a poet, a little girl and a bull, as well as a gray wolf. Although messages are implied rather than directly depicted, Tale of Tales has been interpreted as a reflection on World War II.

Tale of Tales is widely considered Norshtein’s masterpiece., and for good reason. Hand-drawn animation is simple, powerful and gorgeous; stories are sensitive; and a soundtrack that contains a lot Mozart And Bach, is the perfect complement to the image. This is the work of an artist at the peak of his powers, trying to capture the feelings of an entire society.