The 1989 Studio Ghibli film, *Kiki's Delivery Service*, will have a special theatrical release in North American cinemas. Starting March 13, it will be shown in a 4K remastered version, specifically designed for IMAX screens. This is the first time Hayao Miyazaki's film is presented in this format. Distribution is handled by GKIDS.
The Remastering Process for IMAX Format 🎞️
Adapting a 1989 hand-drawn animated film to IMAX requires specific technical work. The 4K remastering process starts from the original 35mm negative, scanned in high resolution. The goal is to clean time-related imperfections without altering the cel animation texture. Then, the frame is recomposed to fit IMAX screen proportions, ensuring Miyazaki's original vision remains intact on a larger scale.
A Witch in Trouble, Now with Four Times More Pixels ✨
It's curious to think that Kiki, who struggles to keep her magic with a broom and a transistor radio, will now be seen with a definition that reveals every strand of her hair. Her battle against the wind and existential doubt gains a new level of detail. Perhaps in 4K we can finally see the instruction manuals that Jiji reads to be a more efficient witch's cat. Technology advances, but her delivery still depends on a good gust of wind.