Based on the 10th-century Japanese folktale “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter,” The Tale of Princess Kaguya depicts the title character’s life from early childhood into adulthood. The animated film, from Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away), was released last year in Japan to rave reviews.
The trailer for the English version of the film reveals exceedingly little, and if you’re expecting to hear English dialogue in it — or any dialogue — adjust your expectations. The only audio in the trailer is music, which is actually a blessing, because it allows you to focus on the gorgeous visuals.
Most of the footage is that of a female figure, presumably Princess Kaguya (who will be voiced by Chloe Grace Moretz), running. Even with so little narrative context, the trailer remains gripping — a testament to how stunning the animation is. Other members of the voice cast are Lucy Liu, Mary Steenburgen, and James Caan.
Princess Kaguya will open in US theaters on October 17.
