Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

There is seldom a film that cannot only make viewers feel saddened, but that can also make them grieve: Grave of the Fireflies is one of those rare films.  Released in 1988 and directed by Isao Takahata, Grave of the Fireflies is one of the most acclaimed films from a studio (Studio Ghibli) that releases nearly every original effort to unanimous acclaim.  Focusing on a pair of young Japanese siblings during World War II that are forced by circumstance to fend for themselves amidst all of the falling bombs and limited food rations.

The film begins with a starving boy dying alone in a train station among a crowd that hardly gives him a passing glance, he then begins to narrate his tragic story.  During an air raid, Seita, a twelve year old boy, manages to guide himself and his five year old sister, Setsuko, to safety.  Upon returning to a makeshift medical clinic, Seita discovers that their mother has been severely wounded (their father is fighting in the war) and their house has been consumed by the flames.  Their mother's death leads to them being sent to live with an aunt in the countryside, with a select few possessions that they had buried in their backyard for safety.  Soon, however, an initially warm welcome turns to coldness and, eventually, open hostility against the children for not doing their part in the war effort.  Seita and Setsuko soon move out of their Aunt's home and take up shelter in an abandoned bomb shelter.  A new lease on life quickly becomes desperation as the children slowly succumb to starvation.

Takahata crafted one of the most beautiful (and heartbreaking) animated films to ever be released; set primarily in the Japanese countryside, the gorgeous scenery manages to offset the horrific subject matter just enough to avoid distracting from the film's darker aspects.  In the typical anime fashion, the characters have enlarged eyes and exaggerated facial features; these details allow for the effective and easy conveyance of emotions, and the technique is very effective here.  The animation, though beautiful, is at times both shocking and horrifying, such as when Seita sees his mother's bloodied and bandaged body after the air raid.

The film's greatest strength is its acknowledgment of what war can really do to the people left behind.  Many films about the non-soldiering victims of war seem to portray the adversity as a means towards the affirmation of some noble character's morality (think Schindler's List).  In Grave of the Fireflies there is no moral issue, the anti-war message being an exception, the only issue for the characters in this particular film is survival.  Throughout the film, Seita and Setsuko demonstrate their desperation and their willingness to do whatever it takes to survive, whether it be scavenging for food or theft.

The film's narrative is strong, though the story is not inherent to WWII Japan; the same narrative (with some tweaks) could have taken place in nearly any war-torn country on the recieving side of an invasion.  The supposed anti-American message that some people claim to perceive in the film, is non-existent.  In fact, I do not believe that there is any mention of the United States at any time during the film.

Grave of the Fireflies is a truly great film and, despite its being animated (which is not a medium only for children), is both a very adult and profoundly moving effort from director Isao Takahata and Studio Ghibli.  I have only one thing to say to you if you are not saddened by this film: you are not human.

10/10

Note: This review was previously posted on another blog I wrote.