Press play for maximum sadness.
During the countdown to July 21, 2023, much merriment was made about the Barbie versus Oppenheimer double feature. Each film came from a seasoned indie-turned-blockbuster director — Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan, respectively — with expansive visions, distinct thematic flairs, and a knack for captivating audience attention in an increasingly distracted world. The internet seized upon the meme opportunities as the internet is wont to do.
Grave of the Fireflies derives its story from the semi-autobiographical writings of author, singer, and politician Akiyuki Nosaka. Having come of age during World War II, Nosaka based Fireflies on his experiences as a survivor of the March 1945 firebombings of the Japanese city of Kōbe. At the time, Kōbe was one of Japan's most populous cities as well as home to one of the country's most important ports.
Since Setsuko is barely more than a toddler, Seita tries to preserve his sister's innocence as a parental caregiver as well as a brother. He helps her rediscover beauty even while both siblings are slowly, inexorably dying of starvation: they celebrate a buoyant moment on the beach and gaze in rapturous wonder at nature, specifically a group of fireflies' dazzling light. These everyday insects illuminating the night are transcendent, especially for Setsuko.
Each of Fireflies' elements is a masterpiece. Assembled, they make a devastating, haunting, and unforgettable experience. The framing of every shot, the colors utilized, the characterization beats, the animation's fluid pacing, the performances, and the script's meticulous nuance contribute to an atmosphere of candid humanization. Takahata's touch is delicate yet ruthless: grave diggers tossing away a candy jar in the first act becomes unbearable with context.
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