Did anyone else feel this way days after watching it?

Yup, I ordered this from Netflix and watched it last night. I knew I would not "enjoy" it in the traditional sense, as I knew the story. I've known of the movie for years but avoided watching it because I didn't want to be bummed by it. I finally watched it because, in a sense, I felt a duty to watch it, to honor the authors pain and loss. Not unlike Jews who visit the death camps today; it's not fun, but it must done.

I feel that movies such as this should be required viewing, if nothing else to remind us of our common humanity, that suffering is suffering, and that beyond all the nationalistic bombast and patriotic fervor, sometimes it just comes down to a frightened, hungry little girl who can't understand why her world is falling apart, why mommy isn't coming home ever again, why people can't be nicer, why fireflies have to die so soon.

"Time is an illusion; lunchtime doubly so"

I didn't think it would linger, but so far it has. I wasn't really all that depressed when it ended. I mean, I was, but I knew it was coming from the first scene. But I guess all of that is being made up for because it's been a few days and if I think about it I still get feeling sad lol

watched it years ago and I still get sad when I think about it





-BoswerLK
My reviews blog: http://boswerlk.wordpress.com

part of me, yes.

part of me, no. the latter part: because the imperial army's pure evil savagery they wrought and had beset upon the world -- nanking, philippines, korea, new guinea. pows. etc.

one could argue the story wasn't about the japanese government, and yet the mindset of every individuals of that era, young and old, were of classed unity: to commit suicide first rather than have foreign invaders set foot on their soil.

so although the event was tragic, ultimately, it had to go on that route.

if it would be possible, i'd love to see isao san, although old -- would do a grave of the fireflies in korea, china, and philippine's version.

Yeah, and I also felt guilty whenever I laughed at anything, like I shouldn't still enjoy myself after that

Absolutely. This movie stayed with me longer than any other movie. I was especially affected after I read the autobiographical short story this movie was based on. Broke my heart. Out of nowhere, I'll think about little Setsuko playing Rock Paper Scissors with her reflection, and it makes me want to cry.

I watched this a week ago and the whole thing hit me like a sledge hammer. I have a 3 year old daughter and like many Ghibli movies, they portray children’s mannerisms so well. When I see the likes of Totoro, who my daughter loves, I see so much of her in Mai, like how she hides behind legs, hats falling off, repeating words etc. So naturally, things were the same with Setsuko. When she died, it was like my life came crashing in. I sobbed uncontrollably for about an hour and then after work the next day. I was beginning to worry there was something wrong with me (I am well adjusted normally), so you could imagine my relief when I found reviews about this movie.

I have spent the last week trying to make sense of things and I think here’s a few of the reasons I found it so upsetting: I imagined that this could have happened to my family in a different time and place, I felt so lucky and privileged in the society and age that we live in.

I reflected about the fireflies and how Setsuko accepted their deaths along with her mothers with a child’s understanding of the matter, almost an acceptance of life and death. Ultimately she accepted her own death without a fight because of her lack of understanding about the world. Essentially, she had her life robbed away, but she didn’t know what was really happening to her. I found this so upsetting, because she never had a chance to really live, although this was bitter sweet as she also managed to find fun playing with her brother. There are so many others, but I won'tlist them.

Ultimately, I now feel enlightened about who really suffers in war (all war), I suddenly feel really appreciative of the food I eat and most importantly, I fathomed the depths of my love for my family. No film has ever reached me on these levels before and I have completed the puzzle as to why I was so upset.



That which does not kill you, makes you stronger!

Hooper XXX,

I am guessing that you have put your response on here to provoke a reaction, but I will give you a reply nevertheless.

As you can see from my post above, I was deeply upset by the things that happened in this movie. My grandfather fought in Burma and forever harboured genuine hatred, which nobody grudged. He passed away several years ago now and really reminded me of Eastwood’s character in Gran Torino. So I am not blind to the evils that were caused by a political regime and understand that payback is sometimes due (did America not shell Japan for failing to sign a trade agreement in the 18th centuary btw?).

The point is I would have been equally upset watching a film depicting two kids damaged by any conflict. Portrayed in this movie is that war is the enemy and this film does not apportion blame, although I sensed that blame would fall evenly upon Japan and America for causing such harm to these innocent peoples’ lives. The people who interpret that America were unjustified and evil for doing what they did are just as bigoted as your own skewed opinion.

I feel sorry for you if you genuinely fail to see the human tragedy of two innocent children fighting their own battle against starvation against a backdrop of death and war. The beauty of this movie is that it transcends race, creed, politics and persuasion.

Evony


That which does not kill you, makes you stronger!