The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness 2014

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness

Critics Consensus

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness is a captivating treat for Studio Ghibli fans -- and may prove nearly as entertaining and enlightening for the unconverted.

92%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 24

88%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,146

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Movie Info

Filmmaker Mami Sunada follows Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki and Isao Takahata over the course of a year as Studio Ghibli prepares to release two films.
  • Genre:
    documentary
  • Original Language:
    Japanese
  • Director:
    Mami Sunada
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:

Cast & Crew

Mami Sunada
Director
Nobuo Kawakami
Executive Producer
Takagi Masakatsu
Original Music
Mami Sunada
Cinematographer
Mami Sunada
Film Editor

News & Interviews for The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness

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Critic Reviews for The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness

All Critics (25) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (23) | Rotten (2)

  • For film buffs it's worthwhile viewing.

    April 30, 2015 | Full Review…

    J. R. Jones

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • If you're not enraptured with the work of Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and the rest of the artists at Ghibli, it may not be precisely what you're looking for, but Sanada captures something poetic about art and creativity ...

    November 28, 2014 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Brian Tallerico

    RogerEbert.com
    Top Critic

  • This affectionate documentary is more of a bonbon for longtime fans than an entryway for a broader audience.

    November 28, 2014 | Full Review…

    Ben Kenigsberg

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • Riveting behind-the-scenes documentary The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness offers some comfort for viewers facing a world without new feature films directed by anime legend Hayao Miyazaki.

    November 25, 2014 | Full Review…

    Simon Abrams

    Village Voice
    Top Critic

  • What makes The Kingdom Of Dreams And Madness more than just a simple artifact, or a glorified DVD bonus feature, is the film's clear-eyed ability to see Ghibli through the eyes of the people who work there.

    November 25, 2014 | Rating: A | Full Review…

    David Ehrlich

    AV Club
    Top Critic

  • This seemingly ordinary biographical documentary about the retiring animation master unfolds, at a deceptively gentle pace, into a work of immense beauty.

    November 24, 2014 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Elizabeth Weitzman

    New York Daily News
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (25)

Audience Reviews for The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness

  • Mar 16, 2015
    Turns out Studio Ghibli is just an animation studio run by everyday people.
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
  • Jan 11, 2015
    The three men on the poster from right to left are Isao Takahata, Toshio Suzuki, and Hayao Miyazaki. Takahata and Miyazaki started working together as animators in the mid-70s on Heidi for Japanese television. In the mid-80s they formed Studio Ghibli together. Then at the tail end of the 80s Suzuki came on board as a producer working with one or both of these men as well as serving other studio projects. Along the way Miyazaki and Takahata had creative differences and split. In this documentary we see and hear that Takahata is still often on Miyazaki's mind even though they rarely speak to each other, except through Suzuki. It is fun to witness Studio Ghibli's (and in general Japan's) appreciation of nature and calisthenics. The documentarians follow Miyazaki with warmth through his daily routines at work and occasionally at home, discovering lots of humor and bits of wisdom. This doc captures the process of making The Wind Rises, which is deeply personal for Miyazaki as it is a little bit about his father and a little bit about himself. For Miyazaki writing doesn't involve scripting dialogue and scenes, but drawing the storyboards. Also directing calls for him to make sure his animation staff stays true to his vision as well as giving notes to the voice over actors. This movie suggests that, contrary to reports in America, Miyazaki does not plan to retire entirely, so the young and old may still have the chance to see the imaginative stories that are born out of Miyazaki's dreams and madness.
    Byron B Super Reviewer
  • Aug 13, 2014
    While the Future of Studio Ghibli hangs in limbo, Mami Sunada's Documentary is an eye opening film delving into the mind of the studio's founders Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata on the verge of producing their last ever features. Its a fascinating look at the many different faces who have worked in the studio over the years and what they themselves have brought to it. Most of the time we get to hear what these certain individuals have learned over their years in the industry, as well as what mainly came out of their experience. Its also great to see how much of an impact Miyazaki's work has had on his life and towards modern generations. By the end of it, it seems apparent that Miyazaki wouldn't direct another film, although he could announce his next film next week. Purely recommended to the Studio Ghibli fans.
    Luke E Super Reviewer
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