WhenStar Wars: The Force Awakenshit theaters just a few weeks ago, many believed a star was being born before their very eyes with the breakthrough performance ofDaisy Ridley. The 23-year-old British actress only had a handful of TV guest starring credits to her name, and one other movie role before she portrayed Rey in directorJ.J. Abrams' sci-fi blockbuster. Before she returns inStar Wars: Episode VIII, fans can see a new side of the actress, as she lends her voice to the animated filmOnly Yesterday, which opens in New York City January 1 before expanding across the country on February 26.GKIDShas released the first trailer and poster, along with an interview withDaisy Ridley.
Only Yesterdayis considered to be a long-forgotten masterpiece fromHayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli, originally released in Japan back in 1991. Earlier this year, independentanimationdistributor GKIDS entered into a distribution agreement with Studio Ghibli for the North American rights toOnly Yesterday. The film is directed by Studio Ghibli co-founder andAcademy AwardnomineeIsao Takahata(The Tale of Princess Kaguya).
It’s 1982 and Taeko is 27 years old, unmarried, and has lived her whole life in Tokyo. While traveling by train to visit family in the country, memories flood back of her as a schoolgirl in 1966, and she starts to question whether she has been true to childhood herself. Elegantly switching between her adult present and school girl flashbacks, Takahata brilliantly explores the drama, humor and enchantment of everyday life, in a poignant and achingly beautiful masterpiece from one of the world’s most revered animation studios.
Considered a lost gem,Only Yesterdaywas recently included in Time Out’s list of the “Best 100 Animated Movies Ever Made,” and countsWes AndersonandRoger Ebertamong its admirers.Only Yesterdayis a masterpiece of time and tone, rich with humor and stirring emotion, from one of the world’s most revered animation studios. Critically acclaimed but never before released in North America, the film is receiving a national theatrical release in a new, Studio Ghibli-produced, English-language version in celebration of its 25th anniversary.
Daisy Ridleyleads the new Englishvoice castalongsideDev Patel, Ashley Eckstein and Alison Fernandez. GKIDS and Studio Ghibli previously partnered on When Marnie Was There,The Tale of Princess Kaguya, The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness andFrom Up on Poppy Hill. Take a look at thetrailer,Daisy Ridleyinterview and poster below, and you’re able to visit the official website atOnlyYesterdayFilm.comto learn about when and where the film will be expanding to this spring.
