Cold Bloom

Atsushi Funahashi : 2012
Sakura namiki no mankai no shita ni

Exploring the consequences of the tsunami of March 2011, the story follows Shiori and Kenji, a young couple working at a small metal factory on Japan's eastern coast that produces parts for other companies. Recovering from the tragedy, they are looking forward to having a baby. Ever since the tsunami struck, which also hit the industrial town of Hitachi, the workers are unmotivated, they harrass their Chinese colleagues. It's only thanks to the creativity of Kenji that the company has landed another contract. But when Kenji dies in an accident at the clients' site, his death results in a serious business slump, leaving other employees feeling hopeless. His colleague Takumi who is to blame, becomes the object of hatred for the whole workforce, as all take sides with Kenji's widow Shiori. Takumi keeps asking for her forgiveness and gradually Shiori develops sympathy for him, her hatred turning over time into love. Marked by an altered atmosphere in Japan, throughout the film we witness the scale of misfortune, defeat and desperation that strikes ordinary people who believed that they would be rewarded for their hard work. When the cherry blossoms come into bloom after a long winter, the life of Shiori, haunted by Kenji, finally comes into full bloom when she finds forgiveness within herself towards Takumi. The film premiered at Busan International Film Festival 2012 and its European premiere screened in the Forum section at Berlin International Film Festival 2013.