| Grave of the fireflies
is one of those rare watershed movies that redefines its genre. If you are one
of people that doesn't believe Manga is a serious medium of communication,
prepare to have your eyes opened.
Ill start out by saying
I don't really like this movie per se, mainly because it deals with themes
that no one would normally want to watch, namely war and the grief it creates.
However, it is these very themes that make this one of the most profoundly
emotive films I've ever seen.
Watching the kids go
through some of the stages of grief and how it was affecting their lives was a
truly devastating. If you watch this film and then try to deny the power of
Manga then you are either emotionally deficit or in denial.
The original story was a
semi biographical account by Akiyuki Nosaka on the loss of his sister in the
war. The story line itself is very simple, but it is the animation by the
acclaimed Studio Ghibli that really distinguishes this film. Grave of the
fireflies was actually made in 1988, but has been digitally re-mastered for
re-release (see extras for more details). The characters themselves are drawn
in the conventional large eyed Manga style, and the backgrounds themselves are
quite static. However it is the choice of backgrounds, realistic character
actions and the dialogue that combine so well to create this study in
expressive excellence.
Grave of the fireflies a
the story of two children; Seito (the older brother) and Setsuko (the younger
sister) who are living in Kobe, Japan at the end of WWII. One day Kobe is
bombed by the allies, and their whole neighbourhood is razed. They lose their
mother and never hear anything further from their father. Consequently, they
are forced to move to their distant aunts place in another city.
A brilliant train scene
marks the transition between their old lives in Kobe and their new life with
their aunt. The kids new life does not go well, and you can see the shock as a
reaction to their trauma, expressed in the way they don't really interact with
anyone but each other. Eventually they move out into an abandoned shelter and
fend for themselves.
It is from this setting
that the title of the show is taken. One night they decide to take fireflies
from the creek and place them inside their mosquito netting to create light.
Its definitely one of the most beautiful and moving scenes in any film,
especially as this is where you can see this is the beginning of the end.
Setsuko eventually becomes malnourished which forces Seito back into the real
world, but in the end it is too late. We are then brought full circle to the
starting scene, and the story ends in a place of transition.
This is not a film you
are going to walk away from feeling good, and most people would probably not
watch this film a second time. Whatever you take away from it, I guarantee you
will walk away amazed at the power of Manga expression at its best and the
genius of Studio Ghibli in evoking empathy with the characters.
16:9 Widescreen The character animation comes across as a
smidgin dated in this feature, but considering it was first released in 1988
this is not a problem. Realism of character was never a goal in this film, but
if you have a look at the background you may well be surprised. There are some
beautifully drawn scenes, especially the engaging cityscapes.
One thing that Studio Ghibli does very well is train scenes
(think "Spirited Away"), and the train scenes in this film are no exception.
The meditative fusion of train noises and passing scenery is done
exceptionally well in this movie. Do yourself a favour and watch them a couple
of times.
English and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. The
background sounds to this feature are very good as is the silence in this
film. Lack of dialogue is used very well to create a point or give the viewer
time to absorb what is going on. Watch for the timing of some of the bombers,
they are used to dramatic effect to reinforce the prevailing mood.
The English translation in text and words are also appear
very precise and acted well.
This is definitely one
of the best extras I've seen . The interviews are relatively interesting and
the alternative angles storyboard is a really good look at how the animation
is done.
- Interviews with
Director Isao Takahata and author Akiyuki Nosaka
- Interview with film critic Roger Ebert
- Author and Director Biographies
- Historical Perspective commentary by an American and Japanese professors.
-Video restoration documentary
- Bonus story boards
- Original Japanese Theatrical Trailers
- US trailer
- Art Gallery
- Alternative Angle | 
