fraternity in the midst of war

Rating: 10/10 (4 October 2005)

Spectacular cartoon, depicting humanity in its most beautiful and fragile side. The director captures the most touching details of the relationship between a brother and his little sister, both orphans of war. Remember when they make a light show inside the cave, with the fireflies... and the next morning the sister asks her brother, after collecting all the dead fireflies "why do they die so soon?" relating also to the nearly departed mother. For the first time the brother cries, until then he had remained strong, keeping his sister away from the crude reality. I give a strong advice to you, after watching this movie... if you think you have been moved enough by the end of it, try watching the first 5 minutes of the movie again. You will get yet another big punch in the stomach.
I agree with critics saying that this is a very strong anti-war movie... nothing can be more powerful than depicting the humanity and suffering that affects all human beings the same. War is a nonsense... as i've heard in a Chinese movie "It is a way of unhappy people to take revenge for those who enjoy happiness". Look how happy this brother and sister were. Something very big is lost everyday.
As a final remark... the cartoon is magnificent. It makes you dream at each frame. Watch the small details, how well they are captured. The way the sister talks... the small joys... the games between the two... it leaves one breathless! And the fireflies...