Isao Takahata's 'Grave of the Fireflies', based on the autobiography of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka, takes place during World War II. It involves a teenage boy and his little sister trying their best to survive in desolated Japanese towns after frequent bombings by the Americans. The film explores heavy themes such as societal breakdown, the urge to survive, the love between individuals, and the shortness of life.
'Grave of the Fireflies' depicts a society that crumbles under times of great distress. Japan is known for its strength and perfectionist way. But the film shows Japanese cities and towns torn apart, and showing how any society can be stripped down. Depicted are individuals putting themselves or family members above others. When everything is chaotic and society is broken down, ethics and morality come into effect. Normal rules and laws would be against stealing, but when everyone is starving and struggling to survive, it's technically okay for one to steal. Things like this can be complicated at times, such as: is it okay for one starving person to steal from a second starving person? In 'Grave of the Fireflies', the main character Seita does everything he can to feed his younger sister (as well as himself). He steals and trades, and one time gets beaten up in the process. But ethically, Seita is in a justified position to steal in order to help his sister survive.
When everyone is in a state of survival, does it really change their character? When a society is in an okay-state, people act "normal" and try to be successful contributors to society. We know who the criminals are, we know who the bad and good people are, and we know who are our friends and enemies. But when this stable society is gone, and everyone is trying to survive, can we blame people for being selfish? Again, this is a complicated matter. Seita's aunt takes the children into her home after their mother dies, but then she starts having problems with Seita and Setsuko (his sister). The woman begins treating the children badly and scolding them for being "selfish" and "unhelpful." She feeds her family more and better food than the children, even when she got the food from the children in the first place. But in such a chaotic time, is she a bitch or selfish person for doing what she did?
Setsuko suffering from malnutrition
Love can be a very powerful feeling and concept, and this especially shows in the film when Seita and Sesuko struggle to survive. They care for one another so much that they treat one another fairly and lovingly, even during stressful times. The two make food for one another (Setsuko makes them out of mud, but it shows her good intentions), and Setsuko even helps clean up the house or bomb shelter, which is pretty great since she's so young. Seita's love for Setsuko is so strong that he sticks with her until the day she dies, after which he continues to sleep by her side until her cremation. It's a depressing matter, but it's also heartwarming to see such a strong, loving bond.
Since the film gives such importance to fireflies, here's an Owl City song dedicated to fireflies:
Ha, nice inclusion of "Fireflies." Okay, so Grave of the Fireflies is so freaking sad. Every time I go to watch another anime movie, I think it can't provoke any crazier/stronger feelings than the one I saw before, and every time I'm wrong (except in the case of Botchan). I appreciate how you pointed out Setsuko's and Seita's bond, because that is what made the movie so beautiful and touching. Their is nothing more adorable than a sibling bond between such cute young children, and the adorableness is amplified in their increased care for each other during such a disastrous and dire time. And, watching such a small child pass away simply because there is no food for her makes the viewer think of the horrific sacrifices involved in a country's time of war. Overall, a horribly depressing movie, but ACTUALLY depressingly uplifting because of the sweet brother-sister relationship. And nice review with nice pics and vid, Kent!
The social breakdown of a society truly does make one question what is right or wrong. What is justified and what is not? I stand on the belief that in times of crisis, self survival and ensuring the health of one's family is more important than anything else. I stand by this thought process even if the something else someone also suffering. That being said, Setsuko and Seita's aunt was still in the wrong for the way she treated those two. I can understand the perspective of almost everyone else in the film who are indifferent toward the children. The aunt, on the other hand, was just being selfish. She acted as if Setsuko was being lazy by not working at the bomb shelter, when in fact, he was taking on the heavier burden of taking care of a four year-old. The majority of the food she was receiving was all due to the efforts of Setsuko and his family's belongings. There was no justifiable reason for her to give her family more food than the people who were partly responsible for obtaining that same food. She could have easily split the portions of food evenly for everyone. She instead decided to be selfish in a scenario that did not warrant such actions. So yea, she was a bitch.
I'll say and agree with you that the aunt seems pretty bitchy in the film, and that I pretty much hate her character, but I still don't think she's purely a bitch. I only think so because of my personal experiences with Hurricane Katrina. I mean, I know lots of people who live in New Orleans, and thankfully my family lives right outside, so our house was totally fine. But after Katrina we had a couple families live in our house for a few weeks at a time. Some family members stayed with us four at least two to three years, though. And even though we're all trying to be helpful during hard times like Katrina, it can be very unbearable and difficult living with other people you're not used to, ya know? We all meant well, but there were numerous times we butted heads and got into irrational fights because we were living with one another who we're not used to seeing 24/7. So I have a small ounce of sympathy for the aunt in 'Grave of the Fireflies', but not entirely.
Ha, nice inclusion of "Fireflies." Okay, so Grave of the Fireflies is so freaking sad. Every time I go to watch another anime movie, I think it can't provoke any crazier/stronger feelings than the one I saw before, and every time I'm wrong (except in the case of Botchan). I appreciate how you pointed out Setsuko's and Seita's bond, because that is what made the movie so beautiful and touching. Their is nothing more adorable than a sibling bond between such cute young children, and the adorableness is amplified in their increased care for each other during such a disastrous and dire time. And, watching such a small child pass away simply because there is no food for her makes the viewer think of the horrific sacrifices involved in a country's time of war. Overall, a horribly depressing movie, but ACTUALLY depressingly uplifting because of the sweet brother-sister relationship. And nice review with nice pics and vid, Kent!
ReplyDeleteThe social breakdown of a society truly does make one question what is right or wrong. What is justified and what is not? I stand on the belief that in times of crisis, self survival and ensuring the health of one's family is more important than anything else. I stand by this thought process even if the something else someone also suffering. That being said, Setsuko and Seita's aunt was still in the wrong for the way she treated those two. I can understand the perspective of almost everyone else in the film who are indifferent toward the children. The aunt, on the other hand, was just being selfish. She acted as if Setsuko was being lazy by not working at the bomb shelter, when in fact, he was taking on the heavier burden of taking care of a four year-old. The majority of the food she was receiving was all due to the efforts of Setsuko and his family's belongings. There was no justifiable reason for her to give her family more food than the people who were partly responsible for obtaining that same food. She could have easily split the portions of food evenly for everyone. She instead decided to be selfish in a scenario that did not warrant such actions. So yea, she was a bitch.
ReplyDeleteI'll say and agree with you that the aunt seems pretty bitchy in the film, and that I pretty much hate her character, but I still don't think she's purely a bitch. I only think so because of my personal experiences with Hurricane Katrina. I mean, I know lots of people who live in New Orleans, and thankfully my family lives right outside, so our house was totally fine. But after Katrina we had a couple families live in our house for a few weeks at a time. Some family members stayed with us four at least two to three years, though. And even though we're all trying to be helpful during hard times like Katrina, it can be very unbearable and difficult living with other people you're not used to, ya know? We all meant well, but there were numerous times we butted heads and got into irrational fights because we were living with one another who we're not used to seeing 24/7. So I have a small ounce of sympathy for the aunt in 'Grave of the Fireflies', but not entirely.
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