Hayao Miyazaki is known for his strong opinions, and this time around his contempt for the declining state of the industry takes the center stage.

SUMMARY

Porco Rosso stands out among other Ghibli films for its distinct mood and handling of mature themes; however, Hayao Miyazaki was initially sceptical of the film.
The director shared his thoughts on Porco Rosso during an interview, and there’s a stark contrast between how he feels about the film and the way others anticipated it to be.
Miyazaki shared that the hopeful expectations with Porco Rosso highlights everything that makes the director disapproving of the industry people.

Wisdom and being a contrarian perfectly describe Hayao Miyazaki and his ways. Contrary to the soft and easy-going mood of many Ghibli Films, Miyazaki is a strong-headed man who doesn’t shy away from voicing his opinions, no matter how unpopular or harsh they are. His expertise as a director is highly regarded by fans, critics, and many legendary directors around the world.

A still from Hayao Miyazaki’s Porco Rosso | Credits: Studio Ghibli

While the industry experts respect Miyazaki and his works, the director isn’t as appreciative of them. He voiced his disapproval of their ways during an interview, and his words highlight a core fear that almost every person in the industry feels.

Hayao Miyazaki’s remarks on the industry experts

Porco Rosso was released in the early 90s and it is quite distinct from most Hayao Miyazaki films. It depicted mature themes and the mood was more intense as well. The film gave us iconic dialogues like ‘Better a pig than a fascist’ and a great blend of introspective themes and fun elements. From critical and commercial acclaim to widespread influence, Porco Rosso was a success in every way possible, contrary to what Miyazaki initially believed.

Porco Rosso walks through a dark alley | Credits: Studio Ghibli

During an interview with Animerica Anime & Manga monthly magazine, Miyazaki shared the process behind the film and how he had some reservations regarding it. He believed that the film wouldn’t be a success, but the interviewer pointed out that everyone else was quite hopeful about the movie’s performance. The director commented on how this was exactly the reason why he didn’t trust the opinion of industry people. He further explained:

They’re too conservative. They’ve always been a step behind the times. If industry people knew what they were talking about, the movie business wouldn’t be on the decline like it is. Moviegoers aren’t fools.

Miyazaki didn’t shy away from speaking his thoughts on the industry without any sugarcoating. He also added that even though the movie was just a challenge in many ways and started out on a less serious note, the team behind it put their best into it.

Gina looks on as Porco flies by | Credits: Studio Ghibli

Looking back, this dedication is probably what appealed to many fans, as the movie was unapologetically something new. Aside from the discussion about Porco Rosso, Miyazaki highlighted why he wasn’t fond of the industry.

The curse of failure in the anime industry

The entertainment industry has another name that perfectly captures its spirit, show business. The mere mention of the entertainment industry hints at grandeur and creativity. However, the flip side to the ‘show’ or ‘glimmer’ is the ruthlessness of failures that people experience.

A still from Porco Rosso | Credits: Studio Ghibli

Making a film or show is a hefty business, and producers burn a lot of money into them. Miyazaki described failures as fatal, and he couldn’t be more right as one single project can put people into lifelong debt. As a result of that fear, the director believes that people have become “too boring or timid”.

They look for easy ways to make stuff that works, but might not be as stimulating. Or they burn lots of money into promotions and marketing to draw people to the theatres. In this way, Miyazaki highlighted how the industry folks are following a detrimental cycle out of fear, and the fear might be the one thing keeping them away from success.

Porco Rosso is available to stream on Netflix.