The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom

The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom (Japanese: 津波そして桜) is a 2011 documentary film directed by Lucy Walker. The film was nominated for the 2012 Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject).[1]

The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom
Directed byLucy Walker
Produced byKira Carstensen
Music byMoby
Production
company
Supply & Demand Integrated
Distributed byHBO
Release date
  • September 12, 2011 (2011-09-12) (Toronto)
Running time
39 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageJapanese

Synopsis

The film follows survivors of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami as they prepare for the beginning of cherry blossom season.[2]

Production

Walker's original intention was to film a documentary about the cherry blossom and that after the 2011 tsunami she initially reconsidered her decision to create a film of any nature. In an interview with Realscreen, Walker stated "My first thought was, ‘Gosh, I can’t do this now.’ But then my second thought was that actually, now is a more important time than ever to show our solidarity with the Japanese people." She did not plan on using the cherry blossom as a metaphor, but that "the film’s subjects picked up on it as an obvious metaphor anyway".[3] Walker had concerns that she would find it difficult to conduct interviews as an outsider to the country, but "found people really wanted to tell their story. They would come across the post-apocalyptic looking landscape especially to find us."[4]

The Cherry Blossom in Japanese Culture
Cherry blossom season in Sendai

Japanese people treat the cherry blossoms as a symbol of hope and beauty, and Japanese non-profit organizations that plant and encourage others to plant sakura trees were founded after the 2011 disaster.[5][6]

Awards
AwardCategoryRecipientResult
84th Academy Awards Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) Nominated[7][8]
2012 Sundance Film Festival Jury prize for short film, non-fiction Won[9][10]

Reception

Critical reception for The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom has been positive, with Bruce Barcott calling the movie's Oscar nomination "a well-deserved nod" and stating that the movie "captures the Japanese experience of the March 11, 2011, tsunami with a quiet beauty, power, and dignity".[11] Film Journal International also reviewed the film, praising Walker's directing and the use of musical and artistic touches.[12] Roger Ebert gave the short 3 stars, stating that some of the footage was "overwhelming".[13]

On November 28, 2011, REACT to FILM screened The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom at the SoHo House in West Hollywood, CA and moderated a Q&A with director Lucy Walker, Aki Mizutani and Kira Carstensen.[14]

Critical reception in Japan has also been positive, with Cinema Today Japan acknowledging the short's Academy Awards nomination.[15]

References
  1. ‘Tsunami and Cherry Blossom’ Gets Oscar Nomination - RAFU
  2. A world of heartbreak — and hope — in Oscar short docs - Washington Examiner
  3. TIFF 2011: Lucy Walker premieres ‘visual haiku’ for Japan - Realscreen
  4. The Tsunami And The Cherry Blossom - Cinema Without Borders
  5. "雨にも風にも負けず 東日本大震災から5年、復興記念桜が今年も開花". ハフポスト (in Japanese). 2016-04-22. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
  6. "| さくら並木プロジェクトとはNPO法人 さくら並木ネットワーク". NPO法人 さくら並木ネットワーク (in Japanese). 2011-11-17. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
  7. Saving Face Wins Documentary Short: 2012 Oscars
  8. 2012|Oscars.org
  9. Sundance 2012: “Cherry Blossom” grabs non-fiction short prize - RealScreen
  10. 5 Things You Should Know About The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom|Sundance Institute
  11. Sundance Diary: Powerful "Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom" Gets Oscar Nod - One Earth
  12. Film Review: The Oscar Nominated Short Films 2012: Documentary - Film Journal International
  13. OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT DOCS (UNRATED)|Roger Ebert
  14. "React to Film". Ninunina. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  15. "アカデミー賞ノミネート作品 東日本大震災からの復興を描いた『津波そして桜』とは？ルーシー・ウォーカー監督を直撃！：第84回アカデミー賞". シネマトゥデイ. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
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