This past weekend the latest film from Hayao Miyazaki‘s Studio Ghibli, The Secret World of Arrietty hit theaters to the tune of $6.4 million from 1,522 theaters. A solid start and the largest opening domestically for a Ghibli film yet, both in theater counts and certainly in terms of opening weekend take. The film has also already brought in $126 million internationally, which seems to imply the international success of the Ghibli films may finally be seeping into domestic consciousness.
I’ve never quite understood why The Ghibli films, and Miyazki’s in particular, haven’t done better here in the U.S. All the parents I know constantly complain about the lack of quality children’s film these days so you’d think they would be dragging the kids to see Miyazaki’s visually arresting fantasies featuring uplifting themes and strong female protagonists. Films such as the Oscar winning Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and Howl’s Moving Castle.
Ghibli’s latest film was not directed by Miyazaki but he did write and produce Arrietty and was reportedly involved in every aspect of the film’s development in both Japan and the US.
Based on Mary Norton‘s classic young adult fantasy “The Borrowers,” The Secret World Arrietty tells the tale of a family of tiny people who live in people’s homes and “borrow” things to survive while keeping their existence unknown. One of these “borrowers” is Arrietty and the story begins with her encounter of a sickly little boy in the house their currently living in. Though not supposed to be seen, Arrietty risks it and strikes up an unexpected friendship.
Last week, I had an opportunity to talk with Bridgit Mendler the 19-year-old actress that provides the voice for Arrietty. The following is what came of that conversation.
The projects you’ve done before with Disney like Wizards of Waverly Place and Lemonade Mouth are global properties, however, this is a film written and produced by one of the true masters of animation. For that reason it will probably be around forever. How do you feel about that?
Bridgit Mendler (BM): You know, it’s a really quality piece of film, so I would like to think it is something that will last, and will make an impression. If it does, I am so honored to be a part of that.
Do you have any answers to why the anime style of animation hasn’t caught on in the US in terms of feature films?
BM: I’m not really sure. I think there’s things that people expect to see in TV shows and different things that people expect in movies. So maybe those shows catch on more easily, but I think that with anime movies that are really beautifully made and have actors that people are familiar with they might stand a better chance. I would love to think that they would catch on, it’s great to have a new style of cinematography and in this case it really is cinematography. Because it is so artfully made the way they animate these movies. I would love to think it was a style that people can relate to and will stick around.
One thing that is very important in Miyazaki’s work is the presence of strong female characters. Something you don’t see as much of in modern American films.
BM: You know, I feel the Disney Channel has had a lot of shows where young females are the leading characters, and if you look at this last year where Bridesmaids was so successful at bringing in people of all demographics, probably not younger kids, but when you’re talking about most demographics, of guys going to see those movies and it is something they enjoy. And I think there will be more films showing that women can be smart and comedic. It’s on the rise. This particular film features Amy Poehler and Carol Burnett for instance.
Let’s talk a little about your performance in this film. There is a lot of space in the film in terms of sound. You do a lot of verbal acting that isn’t dialogue. Did you have to run around at all to get into character?
BM: Sometimes I would run in place a little bit, but for the most part I was envisioning how the character was feeling. Trying to match up what sounds would go along with it. I would watch the sequence and then they would play it back and I would go along with it. Kind of on a reaction basis more than anything.
In this film, and other projects I’ve seen you in lately, you seem to be growing as an actress. Do you think doing these other projects are helping you in that regard?
BM: I think every project teaches you more about how to act, and how you perform as an actor, so this project was no exception. You know I’m playing a character that has concerns that are somewhat out of my realm of experience, so I had some fun with that. I also worked with some great people on this movie on the other side of the voice-over booth, the directors and producers and they were great influences for me. And I was working with other great actors, even though I wasn’t in the booth with them, I was working off of them when I was in the booth. That’s why it came together as a cohesive film.
Any Oscar picks?
BM: I don’t know. I haven’t had a lot of time to see the Oscar contenders. I liked The Descendants and I heard Meryl Streep was wonderful in The Iron Lady, but I haven’t had a lot of time to catch up on all the movies out there. I love watching movies with my friends when I have time, but I usually get home late and it’s hard to keep up.
So how do we get people out to see your film?
BM: Well, I think you tell people it is a wonderful film, with actors that people are familiar with and people will enjoy. At the same time it is a story that is fantastic and timeless. My grandpa told me he used to read The Borrowers and really enjoyed the books. I think it is so wonderful that these stories have spanned the ages and will continue to do so.
The Secret World of Arrietty is in theaters right now. You can watch the trailer directly below and for more information click here.
