GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES (Isao Takahata, 1988) (Magdalen Auditorium, 7:30pm Monday 19th Feb)

In contrast to the jovial and fantastical nature of Howl's Moving Castle, Grave of the Fireflies may well be one of the most heart-rending and harrowing films that you will ever see. It tells the story of two orphaned children's struggle for survival in Japan towards the end of the Second World War. Death and misery envelops the entire length of the film, with the few brief joyful respites only lending poignancy to the eventual disaster that is to befall these two children. This is a haunting and unforgettable film which perhaps brings alive as far as possible the truly catastrophic effect of the Second World War.

Charlene Kong (Magdalen FilmSoc Committee)

HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE (Hayao Miyazaki, 2004) (Magdalen Auditorium, 9:15pm Monday 19th Feb)

Howl's Moving Castle is Miyazaki's most recent film and is in no way a poor follow-up to his much acclaimed Spirited Away. A young and timid girl, Sophie, is transformed into an old woman by the petty and heart-hardened Witch of the Waste. Sophie flees her former life and embarks on an enchanting journey of discovery where she meets Howl, the powerful but covertly cowardly wizard, in his castle moved by the comic fire-demon, Calcifer. This journey is one which both Sophie and Howl must travel in order to break away from their magical and personal constraints. It is a love story at heart, and one which Miyazaki has subtly weaved. He has certainly succeeded in creating another imaginative and highly entertaining film, and is one that can be watched and enjoyed many times over.

Charlene Kong (Magdalen FilmSoc Committee)