Brouillette- Grave of the Fireflies: Story of Survival

These days it is honestly rare to find a film that could be considered universally moving. We've reached an age where the box office is dominated by flashy action films, brainless comedies, films that are simple to understand and be entertained by. Even war movies have become something of an entertaining spectacle. Though they often teach a meaningful message, I personally consider many films showing actual war and battle kind of a glorification of war itself. Like it or not, stories and films do effect the way we view the world and specific issues, like the way we regard war. Even though the images you are seeing in these films are horrible and the story may show the negative effects of war or just tell a story from history, there is still something about them that speaks to our fascination with defeating the enemy and being victorious. That doesn't make them bad, it just makes them another form of entertainment.

Grave of the Fireflies is not a war film. There is nothing glorious about it. It is a survival film, something like Roman Polanski's The Pianist in concept. It takes two vulnerable human beings- mere children- and puts them in a situation that they cannot possibly conquer on their own. From the beginning of the film it is clear that they do not meet with a happy ending, as the brother is shown dying. This bleak opening scene sets the stage for the perfect cautionary tale powered by a simple, long understood idea: war breeds suffering. When everything they once knew is destroyed by air raids, Seita and Setsuko find themselves at the mercy of a society that is breaking down. Without parents to guide or provide for them, an extreme weight is put upon the older brother's shoulders. He tries his hardest to be a man, responsible to a fault, and in any other film we may expect his actions to be rewarded in the end. Instead, he gets to watch his sister waste away from malnutrition while under his care. His guilt over her death drives him to give up on his own life. The happy times in their past are contrasted with the hopelessness of the children's current state throughout the film, and themes of fleeting joy followed by despair are always present. The film as a whole paints a perfect portrait of mono no aware. In a way, it honors a sort of beauty that can only be found in misery. That is why we can even stand to watch it, not for entertainment, but rather for its poignant beauty. 


Maybe we could stand to be reminded every once and a while what war is really about.

Grave of the Fireflies leaves its audience with a deeply unsettling feeling even after its credits roll. It should; it's the kind of film that reminds us of our humanity, just how weak we are when the world starts to crumble around us. I would go as far as to say it is one of the most important films of all time. Everyone should see it at least once in their lives. The worst thing we could possibly do is forget about the horrors caused by war, regardless of what side we are, were or may be on in the future.

Suffering is universally understood. War is universally hell.

"Look straight at the people you kill. Don't take your eyes off them for a second. And don't ever forget them, because I promise that they won't forget you." - Kimblee, from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

can't argue with Roger Ebert- this is an incredible film