What makes Hayao Miyazaki cry?

by Chris MaGee

You'll be able to find that out and more when NHK airs a 90 minute documentary on Miyazaki and his upcoming film entitled "Professional Shigoto no Ryugi Special: All about Miyazaki Hayao and the Birth of Ponyo in 300 Days" on August 5th.

You'll be able to find that out and more when NHK airs a 90 minute documentary on Miyazaki and his upcoming film entitled "Professional Shigoto no Ryugi Special: All about Miyazaki Hayao and the Birth of Ponyo in 300 Days" on August 5th.

An NHK camera crew started following Miyazaki-san back in 2006 when he was just coming up with the concept of "Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea" and collected hours of footage chronicling its production including exclusive concept art.

The crew also interviewed Miyazaki at length, not just about "Ponyo", but his entire career and his personal history. Aftering discussing his mother's eight year battle with spinal tuberculosis Miyazaki breaks down while listening to a song sung by the daughter of longtime collaborator Jo Hisaishi, only managing to get out "Damn! I remember my mother…".

Here's hoping that this fascinating sounding documentary lands as an extra when "Ponyo" eventually is released on DVD here in North America.

You can more about "Professional Shigoto no Ryugi Special" on Miyazaki at Ghibli World.