Grave of the Fireflies

Isao Takahata's animated film, Grave of the Fireflies, tells the tragic story of two siblings trying to survive during a U.S. bombing campaign of Japan during World War II. The film is both incredibly moving and profoundly disturbing. After their mother dies, the two siblings must fight starvation when they decide to live on there own outside of society. While they try to stay positive, their situation gets increasing bleak until the film reaches an emotionally jarring conclusion. Grave of the Fireflies presents the impact that war has on ordinary people, without exploring its political significance.
Grave of the Fireflies was first shown to me by my high school Japanese teacher. She was apparently a huge sociopath, and always loved to show this movie right before winter vacation. Needless to say, Grave of the Fireflies isn't an appropriate Christmas movie. God that teacher was awesome.