4. The pure voice of Ponyo

THERE was nothing particularly challenging for nine-year-old Yuria Nara in playing the voice of the titular character of director Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film, Gake no Ue no Ponyo (Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea). All she had to do was follow directions and use her pure-sounding voice to express Ponyo’s affection for the boy who takes care of her. “At the audition, five people each took turns saying phrases such as... [read full story]