Science. Art. Film.: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind: Public event curated & moderated by Dr Anna-Sophie Jürgens

Abstract

Miyazaki’s visionary post-apocalyptic fantasy.

The Science. Art. Film. series uncovers the wacky, weird and wonderful facets of science and art in films, with post-screening discussions featuring artists and ANU scholars. In collaboration with ANU and the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science.

1984 | DCP | JPN | D: Hayao Miyazaki Japanese with English subtitles

Warrior and pacifist Princess Nausicaä (Sumi Shimamoto) desperately struggles to prevent two warring nations from destroying themselves and their dying planet.

1000 years after the Seven Days of Fire which sees Earth poisoned by war – an ecocide that created a toxic jungle whose creatures humans fear.

Blending epic adventure with ecological reflection, the film frames heroism as empathy rather than conquest. Partly inspired by Ursula K. Le Guin’s ‘Earthsea', and elevated by Joe Hisaishi’s score, the film’s emotional clarity and moral seriousness have made it a cornerstone of modern animation.

‘A visionary film that treats environmentalism not as doctrine but as human responsibility.’ - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Join us after the film for a compelling discussion with an expert on East Asian culture and a filmmaker-scholar. Together, they explore how the film’s production and philosophy engage with technology and environmental urgency.