The Museum of Fine Arts Boston (MFA) will host a free screening of the animated film "Grave of the Fireflies" (1988) Wednesday at 7 p.m., which will be followed by a panel discussion featuring some of the leading authorities on anime. The event is free and open to the public.
A Studio Ghibli film, "Grave of the Fireflies" was written and directed by Isao Takahata, best known for his family animes "Pom Poko" (1994) and "My Neighbors the Yamadas" (1999). Upon its release, "Grave of the Fireflies" received numerous international awards and distinctions, cementing its status as one of the true classics of Japanese animation. Unlike Takahata's more recent films, "Grave of the Fireflies" deals with a very real subject matter, clearly mindful that adults are its target audience.
The film follows two orphaned children in Japan during World War II as they struggle to survive the desolation and cruelty that surrounds them. The film showcases some of the most beautiful animation ever put to screen, highlighting the tragedy of the children's story. One can easily develop a deep emotional connection to the story's main characters even though they are animated. The film comes highly recommended even for those usually turned off by anime as it requires less suspension of disbelief than other films in its genre.
John W. Dower, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II," along with Roland Kelts, author of "JapanAmerica: How Japanese Culture Has Invaded the U.S.," and other noted authors of Japanese literature will take part in the discussion following the screening. The film is part of the Anime Masterpieces series put on in an effort to showcase the Japanese art of anime. Complementary film guides featuring literature and images related to anime will be passed out during the discussion. Though free, tickets must be reserved the day of the screening either online at mfa.org or at the Remis Auditorium box office at the MFA.
