When Hayao Miyazaki retired from Studio Ghibli – the animation studio he co-founded back in 1985 – rumors swirled of plans to shutter the entire operation. That was back in August of 2014. And while the future of Studio Ghibli is still a large question mark, what may turn out to be their final film is making it”s American debut!
Who is the mysterious Marnie? Since “When Marnie Was There” released in Japan in July of 2014, there is no doubt the Internet could answer that question. But why ruin the surprise?
Starring the voice talents of Kiernan Shipka as the titular Marnie and Hailee Steinfeld as the disillusioned outsider Anna, “When Marnie Was There” is a story of friendship and secrets.
Sent from her foster home in the city one summer to a sleepy town by the sea in Hokkaido, Anna dreams her days away among the marshes. She believes she”s outside the invisible magic circle to which most people belong – and shuts herself off from everyone around her, wearing her “ordinary face”. Anna never expected to meet a friend like Marnie, who does not judge Anna for being just what she is. But no sooner has Anna learned the loveliness of friendship than she begins to wonder about her newfound friend.
“When Marnie Was There” will be in theaters starting May 22, 2015.