'Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron' review: A glimpse into the mind of a genius

We often look forward to watching a movie to escape into a different world. While we are easy to judge what happens on screen, it is often hard to understand what goes on behind the scenes. 

For the uninitiated, an animated movie can take years to complete, going through multiple phases and iterations. The Boy and the Heron, a masterpiece in itself took about seven years to complete. The documentary highlights the process and the struggles behind it.

Hayao Miyazaki is perhaps one of the biggest names in the world of animation, a genius in his own right, but the documentary shows us the human aspects of being a genius. It follows the highs and lows faced by a creator when they want to showcase their creativity without compromising
on quality.

We get to see how the elements on screen are inspired by events in real life. The characters close to Miyazaki find a space in the storyline as also their personality traits. Perhaps a fitting tribute paid by him to his mentors and friends, some of whom he has lost along the way.

The documentary is slow-paced, oscillating between the energy of a creative genius and the problems associated with the same. The doubt, the different perspectives,
the tribulations — they make one connect with the individual and appreciate reality.

Celebrating the highs is easy, standing by during someone’s hardships is rare. We get to see these exact hardships and how Miyazaki dealt with them. While the story revolves around him, it would be unfair not to celebrate his close ones who had utmost faith in him.

While some elements of the documentary might be something you have already seen in Studio Ghibli movies, it takes time and effort to appreciate the human touch behind the best work the world has seen over the years.