1) The Film was an adaptation of a novel by Akiyuki Nosaka and is semi-autobiographical. It was an apology to his sister, who died towards the end of World War II.
2) It was released On 16th April, 1988
3) Roger Egbert, the renowned film critic, calls this film, "One of the most powerful anti-war movies ever made."
The film begins on a very morbid tone with the lines, "September 21 1945, That was the night I died."
The story revolves around two siblings, Seita,(14) the elder brother and Setsuko,(4) his younger sister, who are caught in the web of war in Japan, during World War II.It is narrated by Seita.
Animated with such profound details, the film not only moves you to tears at several scenes but It makes itself come alive. The aspects of the movie are Poverty, Depression, Abandonment....all motifs of the human predicament during and after a diabolic calamity called War.
The movie not only has a brilliant script but the characters, even though animated, are flawless. The portrayal of pain is so poignant that anybody who does not cry while watching this is a Stone....literally!(And also you don't need your heart so go and donate it to somebody who needs it)
It tells a bitter tale of the two siblings, who are orphaned and have no where to go. The distant aunt who takes them in for a while, makes it obvious that they are nothing but a burden to her so the duo leave her house and begin to live on their own, helpless, poor and vulnerable.
It tells a bitter tale of the two siblings, who are orphaned and have no where to go. The distant aunt who takes them in for a while, makes it obvious that they are nothing but a burden to her so the duo leave her house and begin to live on their own, helpless, poor and vulnerable.
Seita, being the elder brother makes sure that even in the worst of situations, he takes care of his younger sister. It is evident in the scene at the beginning, when they are running during the air raid and Setsuko loses one of her slippers and sadly complains, Seita promises to buy her a new pair, a better one!
The reason this movie works, is not because It is a tear-jerker (admit it all you soft-hearted people...you cry at the any and every sad movie!) but because It carries a socially significant message. It is an anti-war movie. It displays the despondent drama of the dejected; And unlike most other war films, It does not take sides. What I mean is, It doesn't show who is right or wrong. It doesn't show who started the war or who ended it. It doesn't glorify the soldiers and the martyrs who laid down their lives in serving their nation; But It shows the Innocent caught in between, making it evident that truly, there is never a victory in war.
The Fireflies in the movie are a symbol for Setsuko, who like the firefly, glows with life and just like a firefly, she has a short life-span.
This movie kills you....It kills you because you are sitting there, watching the movie and feeling equally helpless like the characters in it. You want to reach out and help them but all you can do is sit and stare. When you watch It, you become a part of it.
There are a list of movies which are excellently made and magnificently moulded. This is one of them; And If you still ask me for a reason to watch this film, I'll give you one:
After the end credits have rolled, you will sit there and images of Setsuko and Seita will play on in your head because the movie stays with you; And more importantly, It lives in you.
Watch this film & you life will never be the same again
