Kirschblüten - Hanami (2008)

Director:

Doris Dörrie

Writer:

Doris Dörrie (screenplay)

Release Date:

6 March 2008 (Germany)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

When Trudi learns that her husband Rudi is dangerously ill, she suggests visiting their children in Berlin without telling him the truth...

Plot Keywords:

Japan | Language Barrier | Homelessness | Parent Child Relationship | Butoh Dance

Awards:

6 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Elmar Wepper	...	Rudi Angermeier
Hannelore Elsner	...	Trudi Angermeier
Aya Irizuki	...	Yu
Maximilian Brückner	...	Karl Angermeier
Nadja Uhl	...	Franzi
Birgit Minichmayr	...	Karolin Angermeier
Felix Eitner	...	Klaus Angermeier
Floriane Daniel	...	Emma Angermeier
Celine Tanneberger	...	Celine Angermeier
Robert Döhlert	...	Robert Angermeier
Tadashi Endo	...	Butoh Dancer
Sarah Camp	...	Butcher
Gerhard Wittmann	...	Doctor #1
Veith von Fürstenberg	...	Doctor #2

Also Known As:

Cherry Blossoms (International: English title)
Cherry Blossoms - Hanami (Europe: English title) (festival title)

Runtime:

Argentina:127 min | Germany:127 min

Country:

Germany | France

Language:

German | English | Japanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Germany:12 | Argentina:16 | France:U | South Korea:18 | Netherlands:16 | USA:Unrated | Mexico:B15 | Hong Kong:III | Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

Allgäu, Bavaria, Germany

Company:

Olga Film GmbH

Movie Connections:

Version of Tôkyô monogatari (1953)

A Beautiful And Delicate Poem About Mourning

I will not say 'Cherry Bloosoms' perfectly flawless. Instead the first half of the movie is a bit too plain, beautiful though. Traces of 'Tokyo Story' (Ozu's 1953 work) can be found. The filmmaker attempted a large amount of 'pillow shot', which make people feel like she was trying to replicate what Ozu did. It may not be a bad idea,especially for the fact that the young generation nowadays has not even spent a minute on watching old films like Ozu's work. But to me, 'Tokyo Story' is too perfect, and the movie I am talking now is not anywhere near it in the case when both of them are critiquing the relationship between parents and grown-up children.

Yet I did experience a sublime journey throughout the course of this beautiful film. What really moved me is the second half of the movie- its delicate description on 'mourning', on how a man copes with the mourning with all kinds of valuable memories of the dead. Beyond doubt the filmmaker did a great work on conveying the feeling of loss. The character'Yu' is impressive enough I still thought of her face that night after watching the movie. She is not the kind of girl with a beautiful face. We the audiences know nearly nothing about the character, but she really hit my heart in a deep way. She is lonely and sad, easily grabs the heart of audiences.Thanks to the soundtrack also. The film is soft, slow, sad, but at the same time it taught me a lesson. To treasure every single person besides me, and to pursue what really matters to me, as can life be ever predicted.