Japanese Film Showing - Tombstone for Fireflies

Join us for the 2011 Japanese film evenings! All films are held at the University of Auckland Library Building Lecture Theatre 109-B15 and the University of Waikato, Lecture Theatre 3. We hope that you will enjoy the films and gain a deeper insight into various aspects of Japanese society.

May film: "Tombstone For Fireflies" (Studio Ghibli Animation,1989, 88min, M, Director: Isao Takahata)

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's 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.

Admission free! No booking required. All welcome.
English sub-titles.

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