★★★½ (3.5/5) Recommendation: Watch it on a rainy Sunday afternoon when you feel like having a good, cathartic cry. Just keep the dogwood flower emoji ready for when the credits roll.
The final 60 seconds, where the piano stops, the orchestra holds a suspended chord, and Hitoto sings the title “Hanamizuki” as a whisper before the full band crashes back in. That is the magic of the 2010 arrangement. hanamizuki -2010-
: Sae and Kohei meet as high school students in Hokkaido. Sae is a diligent student aspiring to attend college in Tokyo, while Kohei is training to become a fisherman to carry on his family's legacy. ★★★½ (3
It is impossible to write about without addressing the tragic timing of its popularity. On March 11, 2011, seven months after the film’s release and the -2010- single, the Great East Japan Earthquake struck. That is the magic of the 2010 arrangement
To understand the power of the version, one must first appreciate the roots of the song. “Hanamizuki” (Cornus florida or flowering dogwood) was written by singer-songwriter Hitoto Yo as a metaphor for a selfless, enduring love. Legend has it that the lyrics were inspired by a letter from her mother, who, while living in the United States, wished to send a flower that would bloom in Japan for her daughter. The original 2004 single was a quiet acoustic ballad.
The production's ambition is reflected in its diverse filming locations, including the snowy landscapes of Hokkaido , the bustling streets of New York (filmed at the Empire State Building and Union Square), and the serene Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia, Canada. The Musical Connection