OMSI is bringing back our Studio Ghibli Retrospective this January with the added bonus of exhibiting two new to the U.S. programs: Ocean Waves and Ghiblies: Episode 2 (scroll below for details). The Retrospective begins Thursday, January 12 and continues through Sunday, January 22. Opening Night will focus on the debuts of Ocean Waves and Ghiblies.

Similar to past events, we are planning on having speakers and other activities accompanying select screenings throughout the Retrospective, particularly Opening Night. As well, we’ll be providing VFX/PDX members a $1 off discount on all ticket purchases – use promo code JGM17 (or mention VFX/PDX at the box office when purchasing). Retrospective art and a show schedule will be available and sent out to you shortly.

Rarely seen outside of Japan, Ocean Waves is a subtle, poignant and wonderfully detailed story of adolescence and teenage isolation. Taku and his best friend Yutaka are headed back to school for what looks like another uneventful year. But they soon find their friendship tested by the arrival of Rikako, a beautiful new transfer student from Tokyo whose attitude vacillates wildly from flirty and flippant to melancholic. When Taku joins Rikako on a trip to Tokyo, the school erupts with rumors, and the three friends are forced to come to terms with their changing relationships.

Ocean Waves was the first Studio Ghibli film directed by someone other than studio founders Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, as director Tomomi Mochizuki led a talented staff of younger employees in an adaptation of Saeko Himuro’s best-selling novel. Full of shots bathed in a palette of pleasingly soft pastel colors and rich in the unexpected visual details typical of Studio Ghibli’s most revered works, Ocean Waves is an accomplished coming-of-age drama.

Watch the Trailer: https://vimeo.com/180088340/d5a9ec5c35

Ghiblies Episode 2:

Ghiblies: Episode 2 is a unique 25-minute short film from Studio Ghibli, featuring several comedic vignettes and caricatures of Studio Ghibli staff as they go about their day. Utilizing new animation techniques and software that would then be deployed on the production of My Neighbors the Yamadas, Ghiblies: Episode 2 has never been released in North America and will be making its North American premiere in December 2016.

Full information and schedule from the OMSI website:
OMSI Studio Ghibli Retrospective – Featuring Northwest premiere of Ocean Waves

Over a period of nearly 30 years, Japan’s Studio Ghibli established itself as perhaps the world’s finest producer of animated motion pictures. With a reputation for lush visuals, attention to detail and epic storytelling, Studio Ghibli eschewed commercial success to create intelligent, poetic, often fanciful films that embrace family, community, and a deep concern for the environment and our relationship with nature.

In dedication to some of the most magical and beloved animated movies ever made, the Empirical Theater is pleased to host our second annual Studio Ghibli Retrospective from January 12 through January 22.

Headlining this year’s program is the Northwest premiere of director Tomomi Mochizuki’s Ocean Waves presented in a new 4K restoration and paired with the short film Ghiblies: Episode 2. Also on exhibit are such popular favorites as Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Spirited Away.

While the majority of the screenings in this year’s Retrospective will be in the original Japanese with English subtitles, several films will screen in their English-dubbed versions. Please review the individual film listings and schedule below for more information on show times and corresponding language version. The format for all film screenings is DCP.

Tickets

Ticket prices for each show – with the exception of Opening Night – are as follows:

$7 Adult / $6 Youth (3-13) & Senior (63+)

OMSI members receive $1 off

Opening Night tickets which include admission to the evening’s two screenings, light refreshment and a guaranteed door prize are priced at:

$20 Adult / $18 Youth (3-13) & Senior (63+)

OMSI members receive $2 off

Tickets may be purchased online at omsi.edu, at the OMSI front desk, or by telephone at 503-797-4000.

Schedule

Thursday, January 12

6:30pm Opening Night Studio Ghibli Retrospective (Doors open 6:15pm)

6:40pm Panel discussion on The Influence of Studio Ghibli

7:30pm Ocean Waves / Ghiblies: Episode 2 (Subt)

9:30pm Porco Rosso (Subt)

*Opening Night packages include light refreshment and fabulous door prizes.

9:30pm Porco Rosso (Subt.)- limited individual show tickets available

Friday, January 13

5:00pm Ocean Waves / Ghiblies: Episode 2 (Subt)

7:00pm Castle in the Sky (Subt)

9:15pm Spirited Away (Subt)

Saturday, January 14

4:00pm The Secret World of Arrietty (Dub)

Sunday, January 15

4:00pm Kiki’s Delivery Service (Dub)

6:00pm Ocean Waves / Ghiblies: Episode 2 (Subt)

7:45pm Howl’s Moving Castle (Dub)

Monday, January 16

4:00pm My Neighbor Totoro (Dub)

6:00pm Spirited Away (Dub)

8:15pm Ocean Waves / Ghiblies: Episode 2 (Subt)

Tuesday, January 17

9:00pm Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (Subt)

Arrive early for the Science Pub presentation Viruses:Friends and Foes by Marilyn Roossinck, Professor of Virus Ecology at Pennsylvania State University. Lecture starts at 7:00pm; doors open at 5:00pm. Science pub only: $5 suggested donation.

Wednesday, January 18

5:00pm Ocean Waves / Ghiblies: Episode 2 (Subt)

7:00pm Grave of the Fireflies (Subt)

8:45pm The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (Dub)

Thursday, January 19

5:00pm Ocean Waves / Ghiblies: Episode 2 (Subt)

7:00pm The Cat Returns (Subt)

8:45pm Castle in the Sky (Subt)

Friday, January 20

5:00pm Kiki’s Delivery Service (Dub)

7:00pm Spirited Away (Subt)

9:15pm The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (Subt)

Saturday, January 21

4:00pm Ponyo (Dub)

6:00pm Howl’s Moving Castle (Subt)

8:15pm Porco Rosso (Dub)

10:00pm Ocean Waves / Ghiblies: Episode 2 (Subt)

Sunday, January 22

** Costume Contest Today Presented by Kumoricon **

Details available soon

4:00pm My Neighbor Totoro (Dub)

6:00pm Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (Subt)

8:15pm Ocean Waves / Ghiblies: Episode 2 (Subt)