Watch Barefoot Gen

Barefoot Gen is a 1983 animated dramatic film, directed by Mori Masaki, produced by Madhouse, and based on the autobiographical manga of the same name by Keiji Nakazawa. The movie follows the life of a six-year-old boy named Gen, who is living in Hiroshima city during the final days of World War II. Gen and his family, like many Japanese families during that time, are struggling to find enough food and are doing their best to survive despite the war. Gen's father is opposed to the war and is vocal about his anti-government views. One day, he is taken away by the police and Gen is left with his mother, pregnant sister, and younger brother.

As the war progresses, conditions in the city worsen, and the family is forced to move to a shelter. On August 6th, 1945, the atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, and Gen and his family are caught in the blast. The effects of the bomb are devastating, and the family is left to cope with the aftermath.

The film focuses on the impact of the atomic bomb on the people of Hiroshima and the struggles they faced in the aftermath. Through the eyes of Gen, the audience is exposed to the immediate horrors that occurred in the aftermath of the bombing. The depictions are both brutal and unflinching, as the audience is shown the physical effects of radiation sickness and the psychological damage inflicted on the people of Hiroshima.

Despite the bleak subject matter, the film is also a story of survival and resilience. Gen and his family are able to find hope in the midst of the devastation and are able to look towards a future that is brighter than the one they have left behind.

The animation in Barefoot Gen is well done, with the style changing from cute and cartoonish to more realistic and detailed as the story progresses. The use of color is also significant, with the vibrancy of Hiroshima's pre-bomb appearance contrasting with the black and white imagery of the aftermath.

The voice acting is equally impressive, with the Japanese cast giving nuanced and authentic performances. The English dub, while not as nuanced, still manages to capture the essence of the characters and the story.

Overall, Barefoot Gen is a powerful film that tackles a difficult subject matter with grace and sensitivity. Its unflinching portrayal of the bombing of Hiroshima and its aftermath is a sobering reminder of the true cost of war, while its message of hope and resilience in the face of tragedy is an inspiration to all who watch it.

Barefoot Gen is a 1983 animated movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.