The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013)

A documentary by Mami Sunada that transports us into the heart of Japan's Studio Ghibli, showing the animators at work and spending a great deal of time with its most famous face, Hayao Miyazaki, a spry seventy-two-year-old.
It's more a film for fans of the animation process than it is for folks who simply enjoy the films themselves. It moves at a slow, peaceful pace; purposely in tune with the studio atmosphere, perhaps? But it did make me wonder how candid it really was. The cynic in me nurtured a feeling that it merely skimmed the surface of the process, not delving too deep out of respect and reverence. If it is 100% representative of reality then it's a refreshing and beautiful environment in which to be. Ushiko, the studio cat, would surely agree.
Have you ever wondered, debated or even argued with friends about how 'Ghibli' should be pronounced? The film gives the definitive answer.

3½ daily rituals out of 5