Originally posted by: Ash595
it is not that simple. When Porco Rosso was released in theaters in France, the film was owned by Studio Canal (Canal +) and not Buena Vista. Now the movie is part of the ghibli / buena Vista deal and will be re-released on dvd next april.

I can assure you that all the Ghibli movies have been distributed , in France, by Buena Vista, even if they were not credited. Studio Canal, on Porco Rosso, was the DVD editor, and a third part distributor (if I remember well), but Buena Vista has always been involved in the distribution of Ghibli movies in occident.
It's not that they "love" those movies and wanted to let occidental people know those treasures, but for many years in Japan, Miyazaki is known as the "japanese Disney" (even if I find that insulting, IMO...lol), and so, Buena Vista has always wanted to control the distribution of his movies.

Anyway, good news about Porco Rosso! It's one of my favourites, and I've tried for a long time now to find it on DVD. Thanks for the tip!