Laputa: Castle in the Sky

Studio Ghibli's first animated feature begins as a high-flying adventure before transforming into a journey with high emotional stakes.

Pazu, an engineer's apprentice finds a young girl, Sheeta, floating down from the sky wearing a glowing pendant. Together they discover both are searching for the legendary floating castle Laputa and vow to unravel the mystery of the luminous crystal around her neck.

Their quest won't be easy, however. There are air pirates, secret agents, and astounding obstacles to keep them from the truth – and from each other.

Curator's Note

Studio Ghibli's first animated feature film is a jet-propelled adventure ride across a mysterious land with floating castles, magical stones and secret powers. However, under this layer, the film is imbued with a quiet melancholy concerning modernity and losing the treasures of our past. It's these two layers, which should be at odds with one another that really set the tone for Studio Ghibli films to come.

The English language version of the film will be presented which features a stellar voice cast including Anna Paquin (The Piano), Cloris Leachman (The Last Picture Show) and Mark Hamill (Star Wars).

– Reece Goodwin; Curator (Film & TV)

Our special Kids' Flicks with Feelings sessions include a curator introduction where we introduce the concept of emotional intelligence to young viewers and a take-home activity pack.