NEWS RELEASE

News Bureau . Schofield Hall 201 . Eau Claire, WI 54702
phone: (715) 836-4741
fax: (715) 836-2900

EAU CLAIRE - "Spirited Away" (2001), an anime fantasy that won this year's Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, will close the International Film Series at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire May 8-11.

The adventure about a 10-year-old girl who wanders into a world ruled by witches and monsters will screen at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday in Davies Theatre. Special matinee screenings will be presented at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; children age 12 and under will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

"It is the best animated film of recent years," wrote film critic Roger Ebert. "Because many adults have an irrational reluctance to see an animated film from Japan (or anywhere else), I begin with reassurances: It has been flawlessly dubbed into English by John Lasseter ('Toy Story'), it was co-winner of this year's Berlin Film Festival against 'regular' movies, it passed 'Titanic' to become the top-grossing film in Japanese history, and it is the first film ever to make more than $200 million before opening in America. I feel like I'm giving a pitch on an infomercial, but I make these points because I come bearing news: This is a wonderful film."

Created by Hayao Miyazaki ("Princess Mononoke"), the 124-minute film is rated PG for dramatic intensity that may frighten younger children.

Tickets are $2 for International Film Society members and UW-Eau Claire faculty and staff and $1 for UW-Eau Claire students at the University Service Center, (715) 836-3727.

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JS/NW

Judy Berthiaume, Director
UW-Eau Claire News Bureau
Schofield 201
(715) 836-4741
newsbur@uwec.edu

Updated: April 28, 2003