Ronja, the Robber's Daughter

Ronja, the Robber's Daughter, one of the finest Nordic fairy tales ever written, is given new life in this anime version originally made for TV. Ronja is just like we know her from Astrid Lindgren's book (and earlier films): She is the daughter of the robber Mattis, born during a thunderstorm that tears his castle in two. And she is a child who bursts with energy, climbing the tallest trees and the steepest hilltops. We have chosen to screen the first four episodes of the series, which combine some of the qualities so characteristic of other Studio Ghibli productions: adventure, music and humour, as well as a fascination with the wonders of nature. Ronja is starting to figure out things about the grown-up world, and also learns a couple of lessons from her parents Mattis and Lovis: to look out for the dangers that haunt the Mattis forest, and that the fear inside you is your own worst enemy. Cato Fossum

Gorô Miyazaki (b. 1976) is a filmmaker, and the son of the famous Japanese animator and founder of Studio Ghubli, Hayao Miyazaki. Gorô worked for several years as a landscaper before deciding to learn his father's trade. He is perhaps best known for having directed From Up On Poppy Hill (2012).