Grave of the Fireflies

"It belongs on any list of the greatest [anti] war films ever made." - Roger Ebert, film critic.

"it is the most profoundly human animated film I've ever seen." - Ernest Rister, animation historian.

I only word close enough to describe how I feel about this movie is Beautiful. This is by far the most touching movie I have ever watched, and definitely at the top of my greatest movie list.

The story takes place towards the end of World War 2, its a bittersweet tale of the relationship between 2 orphan children Seita (清太) and his younger sister Setsuko (節子) struggling to survive the aftermath of war.

Seita
A 14-year-old boy. Seita is responsible, mature, and tough. Since his dad is away fighting in the war, he is responsible for all the jobs his father would normally take, including caring for his younger sister, Setsuko. Seita's main fault is his pride, which can cause him to make wrong decisions.

Setsuko
A 4-year old girl. Setsuko completely adores her older brother Seita. She is innocent and cheerful, and at times naïve to the terrors of war around her.
(The cutest little girl in any movie)

The movie is based almost entirely on a true story by Akiyuki Nosaka. This movie is so honest it doesn't do anything to hide the horrors of war, despite being a animated film, the protagonists aren't some super smart or super capable kids, but ordinary children who are trying to survive but eventually dies due to the overcoming odds.

Grave of the Fireflies has 2 of the most 'Real' characters in any movie, animated or not. Seita and Setsuko are so real, you'd feel as though you're watching a real life scene being played right in front of your eyes, which makes this movie such a powerful movie.

After reading through a few reviews even before watching the movie, I knew this would be a very sad movie. My sister and I did not tear throughout the movie, but my heart sank everytime I saw Seita or Setsuko suffer. I felt their pain and sorrow, and when Setsuko eventually passed away my heart just broke.

I kept thinking about the movie long after it ended. Thinking about the events, events whereby if changed Setsuko and Seita might have been able to survive. I felt as though I lost someone close to me, hoping I could have done something to change their fate. I came to the conclusion that Seita did what anyone would have done, as humans we make mistakes and the the consequences are very real.

I'm not exggarating about the movie. It's this real, and it does send a strong anti-war message discreetly yet powerfully.

This movie is so beautiful I decided to dedicate a post to it, and I will remember this movie for a lifetime.

I'll end the post with a poem I found on one of the reviews from imdb.com


I come and stand at every door.
But no one hears my silent tread.
I knock and yet remain unseen.
For I am dead, for I am dead.

I'm only seven although I died.
In Hiroshima long ago.
I'm seven now as I was then.
When children die they do not grow.

My hair was scorched by swirling flame.
My eyes grew dim, my eyes grew blind.
Death came and turned my bones to dust.
And that was scattered by the wind.

I need no fruit, I need no rice.
I need no sweet, nor even bread.
I ask for nothing for myself.
For I am dead, for I am dead.

All that I ask is that for peace.
You fight today, you fight today.
So that the children of this world.
May live and grow and laugh and play.

-- Nazim Hikmet

My Ending Holidays

Last week in Ipoh, will be leaving next Thursday on the 30th.

I don't want to dread Switzerland. I want to enjoy the 5 months, and I will.

Anyway... Still being under the "Japanese Influence' I decided to start understanding a little more about the Japanese culture. A good way to know any culture is to watch their movies and read their stories right? So I watched a few of Hayao Miyazaki (director of Spirited Away) and Studio Ghibli animes from my Studio Ghibli special box set.

The animes I watched were

My Neighbour Totoro

A simple yet charming tale about 2 girls who meets a 'Forest Spirit'.

Pom Poko

A tale of about the fight and survival of the 'Tanuki' (raccoon dogs) against the urban developments of men.

The Cat Returns

The story of a high-school girl who rescues a cat and in turn being brought into anothe world ruled by cats.

Howl's Moving Castle

The tale about a shy and unconfident 18 year old girl who later was transformed into an old lady, beginning her journey to discover love and ultimately herself.

Spirited Away

My favourite anime of all time. The tale of a whiny, self-centered young girl matures into a hardworking, helpful and optimistic girl through her journeys in the 'spirit world'

These movies may be light-hearted stories but behind them holds strong themes such as maturity, environmental awareness, greed and more. The movie incorporates the themes into the storyline of characters so well it stays with you long after the movie ends.

I have to admit that there are some parts where the movies can seem rather slow (excluding Spirited Away) compared to Western cartoons but its worth sitting through those moments.

I'm currently planning watching 2 more movies from Miyazaki, Princess Mononoke and Grave of the Fireflies. Especially the latter which features the story of 2 orphan girls during the aftermath of World War 2. Its a departure from the other light-hearted tales of Studio Ghibli but a graphic depiction of suffering and death.

I've heard similar stories from the Western point of view, and now I want to see it from the victims' perspective.

In other news, i'll be 'busy preparing' for Switzerland as I do my last minute packing and shopping.

To those whom I wont meet before leaving,
I'll miss you guys and i'll see you all February next year!
God Bless!

Japanese Influence

The Japanese youths left for KL yesterday to return to Japan on the 18th, leaving behind their slight Japanese influence on the hosting families. Somehow I found myself under this influence as I enthusiastically search for Japan-related articles on Wiki (japanese pop culture, lifestyle, art, language etc.) and also having dreams of going to Japan.

This isn't the first time i've been to excited about the Japanese. I've had 3 past attempts to learn Japanese (none succeeded), and i've always wanted to visit Japan. This time i'm quite serious on attempting to learn Japanese [again]. The past 3 times were rather serious during their time too.

Maybe if i'm still this enthusiastic about this weeks later, I may just attempt to take up Japanese... whenever possible.

On another note, i've been reading Ps. Prince's book Right Place Right Time and I really like Proverbs 16:9 "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."
I can make all the plans in the world right or wrong ones, but its the Lord that directs my steps, cant fall into the pit of despair with Him directing me.

For The Past Week

The past week was pretty fun. My sis is hosting a Japanese exchange student for 10 days and we've been bringing her places. Gua Tempurung, Penang, Kellie's Castle and Cameron Highlands today, just to name a few.

Got to hang out with Family and Ryck (Kin Wai) and some not so familiar people but it was all good. I'm also thinking of turning my 'Word Blog' into a 'Photo Blog'. So here are some pics...

Penang

'Battle Stance'

Japanese Girl, Sis, Me

Cameron Highlands

All of Us

Read The Sign

........

Will be posting more pics in the gallery.

The Japanese girl will be leaving this Friday as I myself can't help but count down till the 30th. Honestly I super dread going back to Switzerland but i'm counting on God to 'cause all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.' Romans 8:28.

Gonna continue living these next 2 weeks as I did for the past month, spending my holidays till its fullest as I thank Daddy God for all those great times.

Dapur Bakar...

This happened a few days ago, forgot when. The maid called the hse from my grandad hse saying the kitchen got burned, this was what I remember of the conversation.

*Telephone Rings*

Cynthia : Hello?

Maid : *indonesian gibberish*

Cynthia : Huh? Itu nurse sudah datang?

Maid : *more words we don't understand*... Ya, ya.

Cynthia : Okaylah.

*Puts down phone*

Cynthia : I think she said the nurse came. Aren't you going over? (grandad's hse)

Jon : No need lah. She just needs to open door for the nurse only, the nurse knows what to do.

Cynthia : Then u call back and tell her u not going over la.

Jon : Okay.

*Calls the maid*

Jon : Hello kak? Itu jururawat dah datang? Aku tak perlu pergi lah, kamu buka pintu bagi dia dahlah.

Maid : Bukan, jururawat belum datang, itu kertas bakar.

Jon : Kertas bakar??!! Apa kertas?

Maid : *seemingly gibberish* (to me)

Jon : Huh? Kami datang sekarang la.

*Goes over to granddad's hse*

*Maid leads us to the kitchen*

*looks at burnt kitchen wall*

*GASP*

Thank God, that was all the fire burnt. The gas tank was near and things could have been much worst. We found out that it was an accident so we only left the maid with an advice to be more cautious as she cleaned the mess up.

August Already

Time flies. I've already been home for 1 month and boy have I enjoyed this month.

I would be leaving for Switzerland on the 30th of August around 28 more days from now ( i can't help but count ) and suddenly it just feels too soon. I was lying on my bed yesterday night starring into darkness thinking... Thinking about what i've done so far and what i'm about to do in the future.

I came across a blog post from a Hong Kong artiste Kary Ng ( http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/k4kary-karyng ) that nicely illustrates my feelings into words ( in chinese )

"開心的時間過得特別快
這兩個月真的很開心, 我不會忘記
有時候真的很想將時間停下來
知道現在的我很幸福
要記得每一刻,每一秒...要記得...."

For those who don't read Chinese, here's a crude translation

"Happy moments passes by really fast,
been really happy for these 2 months, I'd never forget them,
sometimes I just wish that time would come to a halt,
that I may know how blessed I currently am,
to remember every moment, every second"

Looking back at the previous semester and the 4 months of internship in China, I wonder how did I manage to survive. Looking forward, I'm not sure if i'll be able to keep surviving. Everything seems so daunting, so uncertain.

I went to Switzerland last year telling myself to be "勇敢" or brave. To stare Fear and circumstances in the eye or something. However thats not how I survived my problems. Everything came trough for me because of Grace.

Well no use being worried. I'll just keep enjoying my everyday feeding on His Grace.