Land of Laputa
by Hiro M.
(Tokyo, Japan)
Laputa
Pembroke Castle
Rhondda Cynon Taff
"Castle in the Sky" (1986, Japanese title: "Tenku no Shiro Laputa") is one of the most famous animation films in Japan. This film is directed by Hayao Miyazaki, and created by Studio Ghibli. Actually, this movie is inspired by the Welsh community and architecture.
Wales is famous for great landscapes and old castles. Director Miyazaki visited Wales and he got some inspiration for this film. For example, a flying island, Laputa, is based on Caernarfon Castle and Powis Castle in Wales. In addition, the mining community and its architectural style were modeled after the Rhondda Cynon Taff coal mining district in South Wales.
This film contains some messages which are environmental issues and criticism of civilization. When director Miyazaki visited Wales, he saw coal miner strikes. Those labor movements influenced his depiction of the characters in this film (I guess…).
If you are interested in this movie, visit Wales and feel the atmosphere of Laputa.
Personally, I have never been to Wales, so I would like to visit Wales someday. :)
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