Ghibli is not just a fairy tale - but a map of growing up, said the masterclass in Zlín
01. June 2025
Studio Ghibli films are not just beautiful fairy tales - they are profound stories about growing up, courage and the fragility of youth. At the Zlín Film Festival on Saturday, British film publicist Michael Leader gave an engaging talk about them during his Forever Young masterclass. As part of the celebration of 40 years of Ghibli, he introduced the audience to why and how their heroes speak to children and adults around the world.
In a one-hour lecture, Leader discussed Hayao Miyazaki's iconic films such as My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away with passion and depth of knowledge. He showed how these stories give voice to young protagonists who face insecurities, fears and responsibilities, yet find courage and inner strength within themselves.
Michael Leader, known, among other things, from the popular podcast Ghibliotheque, thus brought visitors not only an insider's view of the famous anime, but also a personal enthusiasm that the festival audience appreciated with applause.
The masterclass was part of this year's themed block dedicated to the 40th anniversary of Studio Ghibli, in which the festival also presents screenings of other notable films such as Whisper of the Heart, Kingdom of Dreams and Madness, The Secret World of Arrietty, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya and From Up On Poppy Hill. For fans of Japanese animation as well as educators and film enthusiasts, this was an exceptional encounter with a world where a child's perspective is not a simplification - but the key to understanding.
