Grave of the Fireflies: Learning the True Value of Freedom

By Harith A.R.

Edited by Siti Nur Najihah

This month, Malaysians will be celebrating Malaysia Day; a day to commemorate the establishment of the Malaysian Federation in 1963. It is also a day to remind all Malaysians of how fortunate we are to be living in peace and harmony as a gift from our ancestors who put everything in their willpower to give us a better future and we can appreciate their efforts in many ways even in foreign media.

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

The story of "Grave of the Fireflies", directed by Isao Takahata in 1988, tells the cruelty of war and the struggle experienced by two siblings, Seita and his younger sister, Setsuko, who were separated from their father and lost their mother during the American firebombing during World War II. The story puts forward the horrible aftermath of war and the emotional distress of losing everything. The film illustrates how short and painful life can be through war and the possible disappearance of our loved ones right before our eyes, similar to what our country experienced through its history with the colonisation and oppression done by the British and Japanese themselves.

Malaysia's Shared History of War and Pain

The film highlights the universal themes of suffering, resilience, and the abhorrent effects of war which transcend beyond geographical and historical boundaries, especially in Malaysia where our ancestors were in deep suffering such as food starvation, constant abuse, health problems, death threats from enemies, losing their loved ones, and experiencing emotional distress. Through this emotional connection, "Grave of the Fireflies" becomes a powerful testament to the enduring spirit and strength of the Malaysian people, reinforcing their deep-seated patriotism.

Humanity Before Anything Else

"Grave of the Fireflies" reminds us to always put humanity above anything else. During the war, it was every man for himself. People tried to protect themselves and only themselves. That is where we learn the desperation they experienced just to survive and something that we, the younger generation, must know and appreciate the struggles our ancestors during the Occupation of Malaya had gone through.

The film’s universal themes significantly suggest that war is never a good thing and only points to mass suffering and torment. As much as we appreciate the depiction of war through a Japanese movie, we should also emphasise our history by creating films and appreciating existing ones that are of similar experiences unique to Malaysians. Among the local movies that depict the real struggles of people in Tanah Melayu are "Leftenan Adnan" (2000), "Bukit Kepong" (1981) and newer films such as "PASKAL" (2018), that can uplift our patriotism.

Leftenan Adnan (2000)

As we celebrate Malaysia Day, we are reminded to not only appreciate and understand the struggle of our ancestors but also to enhance the spirit of our nationhood and love our country as much as we love ourselves. The celebration of this special day teaches us to foster a deeper appreciation for the significance of Malaysia Day even through foreign media like "Grave of the Fireflies" as well as local films with a realistic depiction that helps us the younger generation to sustain the blessing we have and may we all move forward and strive for a better future.