Letter from a Yellow Cherry Blossom

Letter from a Yellow Cherry Blossom

河瀨直美KAWASE Naomi
2002
  • Japan
65min
Colour
  • Betacam SP
G

Letter from a Yellow Cherry Blossom

Synopsis

Kazuo Nishii, 55, a photo critic, was the editor of the magazine, "Camera Mainichi". During his life, he constantly questioned the meaning of recording videos to photographers and to society. It was his last summer after being informed he had stomach cancer, he only had few months to live. It was then he asked Kawase, whom he admired as a filmmaker, to film him as the object of a documentary film. Kawase agreed. She aimed her camera at Nishii lying in the hospital bed, asked him questions ranging from the meaning of life to the meaning of pictures. While Kawase is filming Nishii, Nishii, himself was taking still pictures of Kawase. Through this act , there was no wall between them, only exchange of their hearts. Nishii passed away on Novenber 25 2001. People die, but through this documentary, Nishii lived again in every viewer's hearts.