Michael Dudok de Wit on “The Red Turtle”

Studio 360

The Tokyo-based animation studio Studio Ghibli is best known for producing the films of Hayao Miyazaki --- gorgeous fantasias with child protagonists, magical creatures and Steampunk-type machines like in "Howl's Moving Castle," "Spirited Away," and "Princess Mononoke."

Their latest film, "The Red Turtle," features a magical animal, but otherwise it is a radical departure for the studio. The story is about a man who washes up on a desert island and how he survives with the help of (or maybe in spite of) a mysterious large red turtle. The film doesn't look like any of Studio Ghibli's other work because it was not directed by Miyazaki. It was directed by the Oscar-winning Dutch filmmaker Michael Dudok de Wit --- and he spent almost a decade making it.

Will you support The World?

There is no paywall on the story you just read because a community of dedicated listeners and readers have contributed to keep the global news you rely on free and accessible for all. Will you join the 314 donors who’ve stepped up to support The World? From now until Dec. 31, your gift will help us unlock a $67,000 match. Donate today to double your impact and keep The World free and accessible.