“The Wind Rises” is an animated film directed by the master of the genre, Hayao Miyazaki. Released in 2013, it tells the story of Jiro Horikoshi, a Japanese aeronautical engineer. This feature film is a unique work, which combines poetry and reflection on war and dreams.
A poetic biography of Jiro Horikoshi
The film is inspired by the life of Jiro Horikoshi, the engineer who designed the famous Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane. Miyazaki makes a humanized portrait, where the dream of flying is central.
Anecdote: The title comes from a quote from Paul Valéry: “The wind rises, you have to try to live.”
A Tribute to Dreams and Passion
Jiro is a character driven by a passion for aviation. His dream is to create beautiful airplanes. Miyazaki uses this love of aviation as a metaphor for the desire for freedom and creation.
Did you know? Jiro’s character is also influenced by the writer Tatsuo Hori, author of the short story The Wind Rises.
A Critical Look at War
Although Jiro dreams of creating airplanes, he is forced to design them for war. The film subtly addresses the consequences of these choices. Miyazaki critiques the destruction caused by war, while celebrating the beauty of engineering.
Key Quote: “Airplanes are not weapons, they are beautiful dreams.”
Love in a World of Crisis
The love story between Jiro and Nahoko, who suffers from tuberculosis, gives a poignant dimension to the film. The couple goes through difficult times, between illness and war, but love remains at the heart of the plot.
Key moment: The scene where Jiro and Nahoko escape into the mountains to escape reality is particularly moving.
A breathtaking visual style
As always with Miyazaki, the animation is magnificent. The film is full of breathtaking landscapes, inspired by Japan in the 1920s and 1930s. The dream scenes, where Jiro talks with the Italian engineer Giovanni Caproni, are visually striking.
Fun fact: Miyazaki used watercolors to create some of the scenes in the film.
Conclusion
“The Wind Rises” is much more than an animated film. It is a profound reflection on dreams, love and moral dilemmas in the face of war. Hayao Miyazaki delivers a sensitive and visually captivating work that continues to leave its mark.
