Japan Supernatural is wowing crowds at the Art Gallery of NSW, but it just wouldn't be a complete exhibition on fantastical visions from Japan without a bit of Totoro, Chihiro, Kiki and their friends from the oeuvre of Studio Ghibli.
Five of the studio's best animations will screen in the Domain Theatre over five Saturdays as an extra incentive to get kids along to the gallery over the holidays. Four are well-loved classics by Hayao Miyazaki and one (Pom Poko) from Isao Takahata.
It kicks off with Oscar-winner Spirited Away (Jan 11), in which young girl Chihiro goes to work at a bathhouse for the gods. Next is Pom Poko (Jan 18), in which tanuki (racoon dogs) defend their woodland home from urban sprawl by playing tricks on humans, followed by My Neighbour Totoro (Jan 25), with its titular nature spirit who can only be seen by young children and travels by 'catbus'.
Kiki's Delivery Service (Feb 1) is the charming story of a young witch who moves to a new town with her cat and tries to find employment. Finally there's the darker Princess Mononoke (Feb 8), the original woman who runs with the wolves, and one of the highest grossing films ever released in Japan.
Tickets are $12 ($10 for kids) and on sale now.
Love fantastic cinema? Check out Dark Arts, the gallery's season of free movies over the summer.