Film-concert in Tehran celebrates Hayao Miyazaki’s anime legacy
A live film-concert featuring the music of Hayao Miyazaki’s anime films was held Wednesday night at the Royal Hall of Espinas Palace Hotel in Tehran, performed by a 100-member orchestra under the baton of Sina Kheirabadi.
The sold-out performance brought Studio Ghibli’s timeless worlds to life, with the orchestra performing Joe Hisaishi’s acclaimed scores as scenes from Miyazaki’s films were projected on a large screen.
The concert featured themes from “Spirited Away”, “Kiki’s Delivery Service”, “Howl’s Moving Castle” and “Porco Rosso”.
Later, the audience was treated to music from “My Neighbor Totoro”, “Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea”, and “The Wind Rises”, as well as a powerful segment from “Princess Mononoke” and themes from “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” and “Laputa: Castle in the Sky”.
In the final moments, excerpts from “The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness”, a documentary offering an inside look at the making of “The Wind Rises” and Miyazaki’s creative life, were screened.
Miyazaki, one of the most influential figures in global animation and co-founder of Japan’s renowned Studio Ghibli, enjoys a strong fan base in Iran. His long-time collaborator, composer Joe Hisaishi, is celebrated for his blend of classical, jazz, and traditional Japanese music, which has become an integral part of the cinematic memory of generations worldwide.
The Miyazaki anime film-concert followed similar live screenings of Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, both staged for a combined 16 sold-out shows. Organized by Fidibo, is a leading Iranian digital platform for e-books and audiobooks, the event aimed to bridge music and cinema enthusiasts and offer audiences a shared experience of enduring works of art. Due to high demand, additional performances are scheduled for October 27, giving Miyazaki fans another chance to immerse themselves in his world of imagination and sound.