So Maquia in the film isn’t human but the same kind of thing happens even amongst human beings. That’s the concept that gave rise to the story. And whilst we all live in the same time, that time is different for each one of us. You have the dog that dies in the film time is different for dogs. And then it’s completely different again when you talk about animals. And although they say that time is a leveller, time is different for children and for adults for example. OKADA: In my screenplays up until now, I’ve enjoyed working with themes of time and emotion. So we had a long time to get to understand each other and I’ve been able to create something that I’m really happy with.įANDOM: Was there an idea or image that came to you first when you started thinking about Maquia? On this film, we worked together three years. When you’re making a film like this, you work with the same team for a long time. So sometimes it’s hard, because you’re trying to keep the harmony to do what it is that you really want to do and to try new things. Anime is a joint project so you need harmony amongst the team. OKADA: When I was writing, I always felt there were some things that I couldn’t do. Transitioning From Writer to Director Writer-director Mari Okanda.įANDOM: What were the challenges of going from shorts and writing screenplays to directing a first feature? Here she talks about making the transition from writing to directing, and upsetting the mothers of Japan with her debut feature. Adopting him, Maquia must face the prospect that one day he will grow older than her. In the woods, she encounters a baby boy, Erial. When an army invades her land, seeking the secret of immortality, Maquia escapes.
A beautiful and poignant fantasy, Maquia (voiced by Manaka Iwami) is from a clan that stop ageing in their mid-teens.