Fireflies (Part 2)

Indeed, the cruelty of war has bereaved them of their home and their parents! Hence, one can't help being moved by the unwavering love and care from Nii-Chan to his sister in such annihilated environment. Take for instance, the scene when the brother is caught red-handed by the farmer for pilferage. He always does his best to fend for his sister - cooking and washing the younger sibling, even stealing crops (to the extent of risking his life to ransack neighbours' houses for valuables during air raids) when money runs dry!

Finally, poverty coupled with poor housing conditions take the toll on the siblings' and the movie folded on a melancholic note... Like the short-lived fireflies, the orphans' sorrowful plight in the movie are symbolized as:

- The children themselves who die young
- Real fireflies (who die and are buried by Setsuko)
- Young Setsuko observes that a passing plane resembles a firefly
- Interminable bombs which emit light as fireflies

Truthfully, I couldn't quite hold back my tears when I was following the story. It is one of those movies that will hit you at the bottom of your heart and for a long time...