Animated Fantasy ‘Maquia’ Now Playing

“Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms” (2018, 115 minutes), an animated feature directed by Mari Okada, is now playing at theaters nationwide.

The people of Iorph live far away from the lands of men, weaving the happenings of each day into a fabric called Hibiol. They live for centuries while maintaining their youthful appearance. Maquia, an orphaned Iorph girl, lives her life in an oasis surrounded by friends, yet somehow feels alone.

But the tranquil lives of the Iorph are shattered in an instant when the Mezarte army invades their territory on a dragon fleet, seeking the blood that grants the Iorph long life. Maquia manages to escape, but loses her friends and her home in the chaos. She then encounters an orphaned baby.

Maquia raises this boy, Ariel, with the help of some new friends. But as the era changes, the bond between Maquia and Ariel changes too, amidst a backdrop of racial tensions between the Iorph and the Mezarte. This is a story of irreplaceable time, woven by two lonely people who can only find solace in each other.

The film is playing at the following California theaters. For a complete list and ticket information, visit: https://www.elevenarts.net/animedistrbution/maquia

Alhambra: Renaissance Stadium 14 on July 24 at 7 p.m.

Anaheim: Starlight Cinema City on July 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Berkeley: Shattuck Cinemas on July 25 at 7 p.m.

Cerritos: Harkins Theatres Cerritos through July 26 at 1 and 7 p.m.

Chino Hills: Harkins Chino Hills 18 through July 26 at 1 and 7 p.m.

Corona: Starlight Dos Lagos 15 on July 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Costa Mesa: Starlight Triangle Square on July 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Dublin: Hacienda Crossings Stadium 21 on July 24 at 7 p.m.

Fairfield: Fairfield Stadium 16 on July 24 at 7 p.m.

Fresno: Fresno Stadium 21 on July 24 at 7 p.m.

Garden Grove: Starlight Triangle Square Cinemas on July 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Irvine: Irvine Spectrum 21 on July 24 at 7 p.m.

Los Angeles: L.A. Live Stadium 14 on July 23 and 24 at 12:50, 4, 7:10, 10:20 p.m.

Monrovia: Studio Movie Grill-Monrovia on July 23 and 24 at 6:45 p.m.

Moreno Valley: Harkins Moreno Valley through July 26 at 1 and 7 p.m.

Murrieta: Reading Cinemas-Cal Oaks on July 23 at 7 p.m.

Ontario: AMC Ontario Mills 30 on July 27

Palm Springs: Signature Palm Springs 9 on July 24 at 7 p.m.

Rancho Palos Verdes: Starlight Terrace Cinemas on July 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Redlands: Studio Movie Grill-Redlands on July 23 and 24 at 6:45 p.m.

Rocklin: Studio Movie Grill-Rocklin on July 23 and 24 at 6:45 p.m.

Sacramento: Reading Cinemas-Tower Theatre on July 23 at 7 p.m.

San Diego: Angelika Film Center & Café-Carmel Mountain on July 23 at 7 p.m.

San Francisco: Opera Plaza Cinema on July 25 at 7 p.m.

Santa Clara: AMC Mercado 20 on July 27

Santa Clarita: Valencia Stadium 12 on July 24 at 7 p.m.

Santa Cruz: Del Mar Theatre on July 25 at 7 p.m.

Simi Valley: Studio Movie Grill-Simi Valley on July 23 and 24 at 6:45 p.m.

Temecula: Temecula Stadium 15 on July 24 at 7 p.m.

Whittier: Starlight Whittier Village on July 25 at 7:30 p.m.