"If You Listen Closely", by Yoshifumi Kondo: a unique animated film that became a legend

The Studio Ghibli film "Whisper of the Heart," released in Japan in 1995, is finally debuting in French theaters after a recent restoration. This film is notable as it is the first Ghibli feature not directed by founders Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata. It is also the only film directed by Yoshifumi Kondo, who passed away in 1998 at the age of 47. Despite his untimely death, Kondo's work achieved significant success in Japan, topping the box office with over 3 billion yen in revenue, solidifying his legacy in animation.