Princess Mononoke (M) PRESENTED IN 35MM FILM (Japanese/ENG SUBS)

Princess Mononoke at The Revival House Perth

In medieval Japan, young warrior Ashitaka defends his village from a demon-possessed boar god, receiving a cursed wound that will eventually kill him. Banished from his home and seeking a cure, he journeys west into a land where ancient forest gods clash with human ambition. In the mountains, he encounters San (Claire Danes), a fierce young woman raised by the wolf goddess Moro who wages war against Iron Town—a fortress settlement led by the formidable Lady Eboshi (Minnie Driver). Eboshi provides refuge for society's outcasts while her iron forges and firearms devastate the surrounding forest, angering its animal gods. Ashitaka finds himself caught between San's primal fury to protect nature and Eboshi's determination to build a better world for her people. As both sides escalate toward catastrophic conflict and the ancient Forest Spirit's life hangs in the balance, Ashitaka seeks a path where humans and nature can coexist—if such a thing is possible.

Hayao Miyazaki's 1997 masterpiece represents the apex of hand-drawn animation, with Studio Ghibli creating breathtakingly detailed landscapes and creatures that feel alive. The film rejects simple environmental messaging for profound moral complexity—there are no villains, only people and gods fighting for survival with conviction and tragic consequences. Joe Hisaishi's sweeping orchestral score moves from thunderous battle music to moments of transcendent beauty. Miyazaki's animation of the forest spirits—from the clicking kodama to the magnificent nightwalker form of the Forest Spirit—creates images of haunting power. The violence is shocking and visceral, the ecological themes deeply felt, and the conclusion offers hope without easy answers. This is animation as serious art, tackling civilization versus nature with visual poetry. This screening presents the original Japanese audio with English subtitles.

Original format and audio experience of this film faithfully reproduced by The Revival House. Presented in 35mm film unless noted otherwise.

When: Saturday, April 25th at 4:30PM
Where: The Revival House at the Como Theatre
Rating: M (Medium level violence)

Miyazaki's hand-drawn masterpiece explores the impossible balance between civilization and nature—experience the English subtitled version in 35mm film.

Presented by: The Revival House Perth