Isao Takahata’s first film for Studio Ghibli is a harrowing depiction of the last days of World War II as seen through the eyes of teenager Seita and his little sister Setsuko. After Allied firebombing destroys both their house and much of Kobe city, the two must fend for themselves. Based on Nosaka Akiyuki’s semi-autobiographical account of the same name, Grave of the Fireflies is a devastating portrait of resilience in the face of tragedy.

Director: Isao Takahata. Cast: Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Yoshiko Shinohara, Akemi Yamaguchi. 1988. 89 min. Japan. Color. Japanese. DCP.

All film screenings of Everyday Life: The Films of Isao Takahata are available here.