If you fail in Italy, try the U.S. - this is something that the Nazis should've seriously done back in WWII. That way, at least, we could've had a laugh about how history repeats itself in the case of Ponyo and Sky Crawlers - two of this year's better known anime films - not to mention have a laugh, period.

As you may, or may not know, both Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (Hayao Miyazaki - Ghibli stuff), and The Sky Crawlers (Mamoru Oshii - Ghost in the Shell stuff) were in the race for the big-bad-juried awards at this month's Venice Film Festival. But, as it turns out, they both failed. Relatively. To be fair and square, they did win something, even if less important: The Sky Crawlers took the Future Film Festival Digital Award, and Ponyo got a "collateral" award for showing "a firm connection with the arts". Which probably means we won't enjoy it.

Propelled by these lukewarm critical acclaims, the two films are now headed for America and other Engrish-speaking territories. Ponyo has already been confirmed for a 2009 realease in the U.S. from Disney, and now Sony has licensed the rights to distribute The Sky Crawlers in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. No release date yet, but you can also expect it next year.