Heidi Rescue of the Lynx and the Hayao Miyazaki Connection

Yes, we even need an aside from Fantasia Film Festival. Heidi Rescue of the Lynx is a continuation, especially if you know the story from Heidi, Girl of the Alps already.

Heidi- Rescue of the LynxNow Playing in Cinemas Across the UK and Ireland.

Heidi Rescue of the Lynx continues a beloved story, capturing the same charm and warmth found in Johanna Spyri’s classic Swiss tale—while also welcoming a new generation of fans. I first discovered this story through the 1970s animated series Heidi, Girl of the Alps, one of Hayao Miyazaki’s earliest projects. His work on the screenplay and production art—centered on nature, kindness, and emotion—would shape many of his later cinematic works.

At the time, shows like Lupin the Third and The Rose of Versailles introduced me to European stories told through anime. But Heidi stood out. It had a quiet, heartfelt tone that stayed with me. Its characters and designs even helped inspire others, like Mei in My Neighbor Totoro. Over the years, Heidi has returned in a few new versions. Most of them stayed close to the original story.

Continue reading “Heidi Rescue of the Lynx and the Hayao Miyazaki Connection”

In Gints Zibalodis’ Flow (2024), Slow and Steady Wins the Survival Race

Pardoning the pun, but Gints Zilbalodis’s Flow is continuing to make waves at theatres this year and next, and it’s an Oscar contender. Also, for those asking–no, this cat is nothing like Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service!

Flow (2024) Movie Poster

[lwptoc min=”2″ hierarchical=”1″ skipHeadingLevel=””]

Review (Mild Spoiler alert)

When there’s no dialogue to guide what the movie Flow is about, what’s presented is less of a story and more like events that track why we, as audiences, should love a stray black cat. Apparently, the world went dark overnight; some flood has rendered many cities underwater, and the only survivors we find are animals. While a great mystery looms over why another tsunami wave happened, that’s left for the older viewer to figure out. But for a child, they’re marvelling at a children’s book brought to life!

Continue reading “In Gints Zibalodis’ Flow (2024), Slow and Steady Wins the Survival Race”