The Cat Returns

Have you ever wondered if cats have their own secret world? In The Cat Returns, they do. After having saved a cat's life, Haru, a young girl, wakes up a night to discover a prosession of cats outside her window. They are there to praise her, and to announce her marriage to the Prince of Cats! She is taken to the Cat Kingdom, and although at first flattered, Haru is having doubts when she starts to resemble a cat, with whiskers and pointed ears. She also discovers that the King of Cats and his entourage are not exactly friendly and generous. Fortunately, more friendly cats such as Muta and the elegant Baron are ready to help her out.

The Cat Returns has much in common with other films produced by Studio Ghibli, such as My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away. It is energetic, playful and funny, with lovable characters (both cats and humans), and moments of mystery and wonder. But the world of cats also resembles our human world, where good and evil, rich and poor, exist side by side. Note: The film screens with in Norwegian version, and without English subtitles. Cato Fossum

Hiroyuki Morita (b. 1964) is a Japanese animator and filmmaker. In addition to The Cat Returns, he has directed the science fiction TV series Bokura no and worked on a number of animation films, including the Studio Ghibli classic Kiki's Delivery Service.