PRESS RELEASE #36 - Interaction to Preview Howl’s Moving Castle

GLASGOW, Tuesday 10 May 2005

Cancellation of Preview of Howl's Moving Castle. Interaction regrets to announce the cancellation of the previously advertised preview of the latest anime from Hayao Miyazaki, "Howl's Moving Castle". Whilst Interaction had received the support of Studio Ghibli in presenting this preview, we have unfortunately not been able to obtain permission from the UK theatrical distributor whose agreement is also required. Interaction will be continuing with the remainder of its anime programme as planned, including showings of recent movies Appleseed and Interstella 5555 as detailed in press release 36.

Howl’s Moving Castle to be previewed at Interaction – UK release date set for September – Appleseed and Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem also to be shown.

Animé fans attending Interaction, the 63rd World Science Fiction Convention will have an opportunity to see one on the most anticipated animated movies of the year, almost a full month before its English language version is officially released in the UK. Howl’s Moving Castle is the latest movie from director Hayao Miyazaki whose previous works include the Oscar-winning Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and My Neighbour Totoro.

Based on the novel of the same name by UK author Diana Wynne Jones, Howl’s Moving Castle tells the story of Sophie Hatter, who is cursed by the Witch of the Waste to have the appearance of a 90 year old. She leaves her home to travel to Howl’s Castle, where after many adventures, she finds the cure to both her and Howl’s curses.

The animé programme will also feature showings of Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem and Appleseed.

Interstella 5555 is an animated musical featuring the music of French band Daft Punk. Directed by Leiji Matsumoto & Kazuhisa Takenôchi it tells the story of an alien band kidnapped by unscrupulous music industry executives and their attempts to escape. Although popular on the European festival circuit Interstella 5555 has never had a general UK release.

Although premiered in the UK in April 2004 Appleseed has not been widely seen in Britain since then. Directed by Shinji Aramaki and based on the manga by Masamune Shiro, this film is set in Earth's last city, Olympus, which grew out of the chaos of a global war. Here the population, half of whom are artificial clones called Bioroids, live in peace under the guidance of a super-computer. However, human terrorists within the military seek a return to power and clash with the government's ESWAT forces led by the legendary soldier, Deunan Knute, and her boyfriend who is 75% machine.

“We are very pleased to have secured the rights to show these films,” said Interaction Animé Programme coordinator David ‘Dragon’ Cotterill. “But they are only a small part of the overall programme. Over the five days of the convention we will be running panels and discussions featuring leading critics and animé experts such as Jonathan Clements, co-author of the Animé Encyclopedia and the Dorama Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese TV Drama since 1953.”

ENDS

Contacts

General: info@interaction.worldcon.org.uk
Press/Media: David Stewart - press@interaction.worldcon.org.uk

The 2005 World Science Fiction Convention, known as Interaction, will take place in Glasgow, UK from 4-8 August 2005. More information about Interaction, including current membership rates, is available from its web site (http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/) or by writing to info@interaction.worldcon.org.uk.

Specific press contacts, or requests to be removed from the Interaction press release mailing list should be directed to press@interaction.worldcon.org.uk.

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Release Date 10^th May 2005