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Ghibli Co-Founder Suzuki: Studio Considers Dismantling Production Department
posted on by Egan Loo
Studio Ghibli representative director and co-founder Toshio Suzuki appeared on the TBS Television program Jōnetsu Tairiku on Sunday to discuss the studio's future after Hayao Miyazaki's retirement from directing feature films.
Suzuki discussed the great changes that the entire studio is undergoing at the studio's shareholders meeting, and mused that these changes may include dismantling the production department. While there has been talk among some about dissolving the studio outright, Suzuki emphasized that the truth is that the studio is considering "housecleaning" or restructuring for now. The end result would be "rebuilding" the studio and creating an environment for the next generation.
Suzuki did not downplay the significance of Miyazaki's retirement. Still, he added, "On what to do with Studio Ghibli's future, it is by no means impossible to keep producing [movies] forever. However, we will take a brief pause to consider where to go from here."
Miyazaki (sitting far left in the picture to the left) retired from directing feature films last year. Suzuki (sitting in center to the left of co-founder and director Isao Takahata) himself stepped down from his producer role this year, although he is assuming the new title of "general manager." The studio's latest film, When Marnie Was There from director Hiromasa Yonebayashi, opened at #3 during the July 19-20 weekend with 378,790,697 yen (US$3,721,297) on 461 screens.
Source: Narinari.com
