An independent filmmaker hailing from Brazil has crafted a 16-minute short film based on Hayao Miyazaki’s renowned work, “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.” This film, titled “Wind Princess,” initially premiered with a free screening at the Sao Paulo Cultural Center on September 21, drawing an audience of over 100 people. Although the filmmaker, Chris Tex, is not officially affiliated with Hayao Miyazaki or Studio Ghibli, his project has earned widespread acclaim for its faithful recreation of Nausicaa’s opening scenes. Tex is now planning to make the film accessible to a global audience, with “Wind Princess” set to be available for viewing on his YouTube channel starting from October 20.
Chris Tex, a lifelong enthusiast of Japanese animation, particularly admires the works of Studio Ghibli, with “Princess Mononoke” ranking as his all-time favorite. However, it was “Nausicaa” that deeply inspired Tex to embark on the ambitious endeavor of adapting Miyazaki’s creation into a live-action format. Tex’s motivation was twofold; he aimed to explore the realm of science fiction while also addressing environmental concerns, a central theme of “Nausicaa.” Tex even ventured to Japan to present his concept to Studio Ghibli, although he was unable to establish contact with an official representative. Undeterred, Tex forged ahead with his film project independently, shooting most of the desert scenes along the coastline of Santa Catarina in Southern Brazil.
Released in 1984, Hayao Miyazaki’s “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind” unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world where much of humanity has perished, leaving the survivors coexisting with giant insects known as “Ohm.” As Earth grapples with widespread pollution, mankind relies on subterranean water sources for survival. Nausicaa and her people strive to live in harmony with nature, but other factions resort to extreme measures in their attempts to control the Ohm population and combat a rapidly encroaching toxic forest. Upon uncovering a dire plot to exterminate the Ohm, Nausicaa embarks on a mission to save her valley and quell the ongoing conflict between humanity and the environment. The film’s success marked the genesis of Studio Ghibli, established in June 1985.
In anticipation of the online premiere of “Wind Princess,” Chris Tex expressed his profound appreciation to Studio Ghibli for serving as a wellspring of inspiration throughout his filmmaking journey. He conveyed his hopes that viewers would engage with his work, emphasizing how Director Miyazaki’s influence played a pivotal role in shaping his creative vision. In addition to “Wind Princess,” Chris Tex’s filmmaking portfolio includes the web drama “Nerd of the Dead,” featuring Brazilian comedian Danilo Genchili.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Euro Tidings journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
