The Barbican Centre has released details of their upcoming series Animation at War, which runs from February to September 2025.
The three-film programme includes titles from Japan, Great Britain, and also Spain. In a statement, the Barbican said that Animation at War “Explores how artists and storytellers from around the world address themes of war and conflict through animation.”
The new series is curated by Michael Leader, best known as a co-creator of the podcast series Ghibliotheque.
Something new: ANIMATION AT WAR, a film season I've curated for @BarbicanCentre for 2025. An exploration of how filmmakers use animation to capture the chaos, complexity and human cost of war, with screenings of IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD, WHEN THE WIND BLOWS and UNICORN WARS. pic.twitter.com/AquuaJhwUR
— Michael Leader (@MichaelJLeader) December 2, 2024
Speaking exclusively to FILMHOUNDS, Leader said “These are impactful, visionary films that deserve to be seen on the big screen. They should be given the same care and attention as live-action films. Placing them within a curated season and contextualising them with expert discussions and introductions is what they deserve.
I'm very excited for this opportunity to bring more animation into the programme of an institution like the Barbican. They are known for their considered approach to curation and programming across a wide range of cultural forms.”
Animation at War includes screenings of Sunao Katabuchi's In This Corner of the World (2016), which is set around the time of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Leader will also host the screening alongside his Ghibliotheque partner Jake Cunningham.
Also featuring is Jimmy T Murakami's When the Wind Blows (1986), an adaptation of the Raymond Briggs novel. The hand-drawn film follows an elderly couple living in rural Britain who attempt to retain their sense of normalcy following a nuclear attack. Furthermore, the film's soundtrack is written and performed by Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters.
Additionally, the third film included in the series is Alberto Vázquez's Unicorn Wars (2022), which is set amidst a bloody conflict between anthropomorphised unicorns and teddy bears.
Full details of the Animation at War series are available on The Barbican Centre's website.
