By Jerrison Oracion, Contributor
4/5
Studio Ghibli’s latest film, From Up on Poppy Hill, was directed by Goro Miyazaki, son of the legendary Hayao Miyazaki. The film goes back to a wonderful time in Japan’s history, taking place in Yokohama during the spring of 1963.
From Up on Poppy Hill follows the characters of Umi Matsuzaki (Sarah Bolger) and Shun Kazama (Anton Yelchin). One day, Umi meets Shun during a protest that the male students of her school are holding to save their clubhouse, “The Latin Quarter.” She befriends Shun, but as he learns more about Umi, Shun finds out a secret that may or may not pose a problem between them.
With an all-star cast including Jamie Lee Curtis playing Umi’s mother Ryoko, Parks and Recreation’s Aubrey Plaza as friend Sachiko (who sounds and looks like April Ludgate), and even Ron Howard plays the president of The Latin Quarter’s philosophy club.
It’s entirely possible From Up on Poppy Hill could by nominated for Best Animated Feature at next year’s Oscars. But for now, just give it a watch—it’s also entirely possible the film will make your day.
