Brandon's Impotent Rage
29th September 2014, 03:56
If you've already seen this animated film....then I really don't have to say anymore. You know what I'm talking about.
But if you are one of those who haven't seen this gut-puncher of a movie....hoo-boy, are you in for an experience.
Here's some basic details:
Grave of the Fireflies is a 1988 anime film. It is often classified as a historical drama or a war tragedy film (and sometimes incorrectly as an anti-war film). It was produced by Studio Ghibli, and in fact was originally part of a double feature with another famous Ghibli title, My Neighbor Totoro. At the time, it was not a fincancial success. But over the years it has garnered acclaim and awards from critic and viewers alike.
It is an adaptation of an autobiographical novel by author and singer Akiyuki Nosaka (although for artistic purposes some details and plot points were changed for the film). Nosaka, as a child, was one of the survivors of the Allied fire bombings of the city of Kobe in 1945.....and anything more will spoil the film. Safe to say though, it was hard times for him and his family, and the story reflects this.
Story wise, it is about the experiences of teenaged Seita and his young sister Setsuko as they suffer poverty, starvation, homelessness, and sickness. They have to face uncaring government officials, selfish relatives, and other desperate people trying to survive in war-ravaged Kobe. There nor heroes in this movie. No villains, either. Just people trying to survive.
The film itself is an extremely honest and unflinching portrayal of life in the later years of war time Japan. I'm not going to lie: it is not an easy movie to watch. Not because it's gory (for a war film, very little bloodshed actually happens). Not because it's exploitative. It's difficult to watch because it doesn't pull any punches. It's so brutally honest about the conditions of the era and their effect on the vulnerable parts of Japan's population, especially children.
It's a seriously emotionally draining film. To put it simply, it's the greatest movie I never want to see again.
But if you are one of those who haven't seen this gut-puncher of a movie....hoo-boy, are you in for an experience.
Here's some basic details:
Grave of the Fireflies is a 1988 anime film. It is often classified as a historical drama or a war tragedy film (and sometimes incorrectly as an anti-war film). It was produced by Studio Ghibli, and in fact was originally part of a double feature with another famous Ghibli title, My Neighbor Totoro. At the time, it was not a fincancial success. But over the years it has garnered acclaim and awards from critic and viewers alike.
It is an adaptation of an autobiographical novel by author and singer Akiyuki Nosaka (although for artistic purposes some details and plot points were changed for the film). Nosaka, as a child, was one of the survivors of the Allied fire bombings of the city of Kobe in 1945.....and anything more will spoil the film. Safe to say though, it was hard times for him and his family, and the story reflects this.
Story wise, it is about the experiences of teenaged Seita and his young sister Setsuko as they suffer poverty, starvation, homelessness, and sickness. They have to face uncaring government officials, selfish relatives, and other desperate people trying to survive in war-ravaged Kobe. There nor heroes in this movie. No villains, either. Just people trying to survive.
The film itself is an extremely honest and unflinching portrayal of life in the later years of war time Japan. I'm not going to lie: it is not an easy movie to watch. Not because it's gory (for a war film, very little bloodshed actually happens). Not because it's exploitative. It's difficult to watch because it doesn't pull any punches. It's so brutally honest about the conditions of the era and their effect on the vulnerable parts of Japan's population, especially children.
It's a seriously emotionally draining film. To put it simply, it's the greatest movie I never want to see again.