I had the privilege of speaking with Eric Beckman and Dave Jesteadt, the co-founders of GKIDS ahead of the North American premiere of Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron back from this past Toronto International Film Festival.
Tristan: Tonight is a very historic night. We have the very first animated film (The Boy in the Heron) opening the festival, which is a huge deal. I just wanted to ask you how you feel about bringing this film to the festival, and how big of a deal this is for animation in general.
Eric Beckman: It feels like a big deal. This is the first Hayao Miyazaki film in 10 years, so for me it feels like the film is about the moment. We wanted to find a really special way to introduce western audiences to the film for the first time. Opening night… you can’t get much bigger than that. It’s a really great stage for it.
Tristan: How do you guys think this film stands out in Hayao Miyazaki’s already very impressive filmography?
Dave Jesteadt: I don’t want to give too much away. I know everyone’s been very tight-lipped about the story and everything. I would never count him out, whether he’s retiring again or making other films. I would say it plays a very beautiful role in one end of his career, now that he’s older, and has made a number of films, and experienced life. He has so much to share through film, so I think that texture and that meaning comes across in a profound way.
Tristan: The trailer was recently released and has generated plenty of excitement for the film. How have you guys felt about how audiences have been responding to it?
Eric Beckman: We’re so happy! We were so nervous because of the release in Japan did not have any initial promotion or advertising, so we talked to the studio and tried to figure out how to introduce the film for the first time really…. so that’s a lot of pressure, especially for a film like this. We worked really hard with the studio and we found something that captures the beauty of the visuals, the energy, the potential of the story, while still leaving quite a mystery for audiences discover.
Tristan: I want to thank you both for speaking to me and for doing so much for animation. GKIDS is a great company and I appreciate what you both have done for the medium.
Eric & Dave: Thank you!
The Boy and the Heron is in theatres now.
still courtesy of GKIDS
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