Free Japanese film showing – This Thursday (May 2011)

"Tombstone for Fireflies" 『火垂るの墓』

Date: Thursday 19 May 2011
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: University of Waikato, L3
Contact: dianek@waikato.ac.nz or 838-4932
Website: http://www.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/auckland/index.htm
 
A Studio Ghibli animation.  ALL WELCOME!

A tale of the true tragedy of war and innocence lost.

In the aftermath of a World War II bombing, two orphaned children struggle to survive in the Japanese countryside. To Seita and his four-year-old sister, the helplessness and indifference of their countrymen is even more painful than the enemy raids. Through desperation, hunger and grief, these children’s lives are as heartbreakingly fragile as their spirit and love is inspiring.

The film was directed by Isao Takahata, who is associated with the famous Ghibli Studio, source of the greatest Japanese animation. It is based on a semi-autobiographical novel by Nosaka Akiyuki – who was a boy at the time of the firebombs, whose sister did die of hunger and whose life has been shadowed by guilt.

War Drama
1989
88 min.
PG
Director: Isao Takahata

Admission Free!
No booking required.
English sub-titles.

Presented by The Consulate-General of Japan, The University of Waikato, and The Japan Culture Centre, Sydney (The Japan Foundation).

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