One of the numerous Studio Ghibli films I have to get through this summer, Grave of the Fireflies is a 1988 Studio Ghibli film about a brother and his younger sister surviving air raids in WWII Japan. The story is told as a flashback. Interestingly enough you find out the fate of the older brother right at the beginning of the film, so at least they prepare you for tragedy on the outset.. I found the relationship between the two siblings very moving: how they motivate each other to keep hanging on until their father returns from fighting. Unlike other Ghibli films I have seen, this one omits any wizards or wolf-girls, and delivers a serious and powerful anti-war message through the tragic events that unfold during the story. Despite being orphaned, shunned by relatives, starving due to food rationing and regular bombs being dropped, both characters maintain a strong belief throughout. It's really humbling. A bit too depressing for what I bargained for, but definitely a worthy watch. The firefly scenes are truly wonderful. Seiko (the little girl) is so adorably naive, yet I admire her character for her strength when she's kind of half-dying. Kawaii.Ah, off to Cambridge tomorrow. Possibly getting inebriated (Posh places calls for posh vocab). With huge blisters on one of my heels. Yay.
Will be lovely seeing people I haven't seen in a long time (: I hope the weather holds so we can go punting around.
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