LAND OF NEW MOVIES

From the studio that brought us Kiki's Delivery Service and Spirited Away comes the classic anime, Grave of the Fireflies. Set in post-war Japan, only a few weeks before the American occupation, director Isao Takahata's powerful anti-war masterpiece centers on the lives of two brave siblings, a fourteen year old boy named Seita and his four year old sister, Setsuko. With their father away serving in the imperial navy and their mother tragically killed in an air raid, the two children are forced to stay with their aunt, a cruel woman who proves to be a poor caregiver for the two children. After quarreling with their aunt, the two siblings leave the city and venture out on their own, eventually taking up residence in a cave-turned-abandoned bomb shelter. With no adults to turn to, the youngsters must depend solely on each other to survive. But it isn't long before their resources are exhausted, and Seita is forced into stealing so he can feed the starving Setsuko. And sadly, it seems his little sister is getting weaker by the moment. These dark times are illuminated only by the light of the fireflies.

Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Akiyuki Nosaka, this Studio Ghibli-produced film has been universally hailed as a classic since its 1988 release. The emotionally charged motion picture highlights the suffering endured by the innocent victims of war, a stunning portrayal that has resonated with audiences worldwide. Ultimately, Grave of the Fireflies is an unforgettable film, sure to bring even the most jaded audience to tears with its poignant tale of the horrors of war, and the children left behind in its wake. ~from yesasia~

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