I Love Great Movie Scenes

I was meeting my fourteen-year-old for dinner and he had difficulty finding the place. He texted me and I could sense his frustration. I was at the $2 Daiso shop and paid for my things. When we finally met up at the restaurant, he was obviously unhappy. 'I got you something' I said as I passed him the tin. At that moment, his frown melted and a huge smile spread over his teenage face. He proceeded to pry open the lid and out came those precious fruit drops. It never ceases to amaze me what a little Japanese tin of fruit drops can do.

I first watched 'Grave of the Fireflies' after reading about it here in SW. That tin of fruit drops is central to the film. Set in Japan during the Second World War, it depicts the relationship between a brother and sister. I admit that sometimes I find it hard to reconcile these everyday Japanese with the atrocities committed by their military during those horrific times especially against the Chinese people in many parts of Southeast Asia. Can this be the reason the film is not well known here at all?

Films are great. They transcend those geopolitical boundaries to make us see that we are, first and foremost, human beings. Indeed, art is long, life is short.

As my boy and I enjoy the $2 Sakuma drops, I give thanks once again for this precious moment.