Grave of the Fireflies

When i saw "Johnny got his gun", I already knew what to expect. It did not help much... When I saw "Grave of the Fireflies", I had no idea what i was about to see, et i'm aware now that it would not have helped anyway either...

I love this movie, just as much for the cruel simplicity of its theme (the impact of of a war on two kids), as for the fascinating poetry that it still carries. This poetry is not the by-product of easy cinematographic tricks , but a poetry much deeper in its foundations, the clear poetry of childhood.
As such, this work doesn't touch you so much through the scandal it denounces (so many movies have and will do this), as it does though the sheer accuracy of its children portraiture. Little Setsuko is infinitely moving because her authenticity bursts through the screen. The movie is peppered of these little childhood moments, hands that hold each other, incontrolable fits of laughter, hugs, all these little gestures that stem from the immense desire for love and spontaneous generosity of a little child. Seita, the older boy, will move us through his genuine behaviour, his life-like gestures and the nature of his love for his little sister.

It's simple and it works, even in the horrid context of a world war. But it's also the authenticity of the depiction of love in those two kids that makes the violence of this movie nearly unbearable to endure. And it is the power of this movie to carve into our minds the mourning of two imaginary children....
Moving and horryfing at the same time but a also a stunning reminder of the magic of childhood. 10/10