"Kirschblüten - Hanami" or "Cherry Blossoms - Hanami" is a German film from 2008, which means it will have its 10th anniversary 2 years from now. The writer and director is Doris Dörrie and this film (among others) turned her into what many probably consider Germany's most influential female filmmaker of the last decades. Her cast here includes E. Wepper, Elsner, Uhl, Minichmayr, Brückner and a handful other German actors that are somewhat known here in Germany, plus a couple Japanese actors because of the setting. The first third is about an old married couple (from Southern Germany) reuniting with their children in Berlin, but somehow not really succeeding in making a connection, especially the man. The scene when they struggle with the train ticket machine is possibly the most entertaining and it shows that they just don't fit there.The first third of the film ends with the old woman's death and the remaining two thirds is about the husband taking a deep insight into the lifelong dream of his wife, namely going to Japan and becoming part of an ancient Japanese tradition. A lot of the film has to do with the culture clash between Rudi Angermeier (Wepper) and Japanese culture and tradition, how he goes on a journey into a world that is entirely new to him. Dörrie has made the movie "Erleuchtung garantiert" before this one (almost a decade) and very recently she made "Grüße aus Fukushima", which shows how strong Dörrie's connection to this Asian country must be. In my opinion, the quality is on par with the chronology. "Erleuchtung garantiert" is the best from the trio, "Kirschblüten - Hanami" is certainly inferior and "Grüße aus Fukushima" is easily the worst and a huge mess.About this one here, I think visually, in terms of sets, cinematography and costumes, these areas is where it shines the most. Wepper is also pretty good, even if the awards recognition may have been a bit too much. There are better (German) lead performances from that year such as Matthias Brandt for example. The film itself has a couple pretentious moments and feels like style over substance on some occasions too, but I still feel it was a creative achievement, even if it should have been kept more essential at 105 minutes instead of over two hours. I would say it is indeed one of the best German films from 2008, but not among the very best and also not among the best from Europe. I love Japan a lot as well and, even if I recommend the watch, I would call it a bit of a lost opportunity and it is kinda sad how Dörrie's Japan-themed films got worse and worse over the years.

I can't begin to describe how much this film moved me. After nearly losing my spouse, best friend and soul mate, I could relate to the crushing emotions of both Trudi and Rudi. Life stands still when you're faced with the realization of living without that person. In 2009 my husband was diagnosed with cancer, and it crushed me. The way Trudi tried to hide her tears, how she couldn't sleep or eat, and her painful realization that each moment with him might be the last were things I experienced firsthand. I can't imagine the added of burden of trying to keep it from him and act as if nothing were wrong. I failed miserably as a strong, supportive caretaker.Many of the things Rudi went through were similar to what I imagined my life would become if he didn't make it. One of the things that really struck me was the portrayal of how seemingly mundane, everyday events become vivid and painful reminders of what was and what you desperately wish you still had. A beautiful movie, a work of art.

As the story opens, we meet Rudi and Trudi, an older couple living in Bavaria. He is stoic and undemonstrative, but they have a comfortable, familiar relationship. Rudy is content to go to his dull job everyday while Trudi harbors a secret wish to see Japan and the cherry blossoms. When she learns that he is dying, she arranges a trip to visit their children, but the kids are too busy to be bothered with them.This is a remarkable film about life and death and love. It moves quite slowly and gently and allows us to get to know the couple and their self-absorbed children. It deals with devotion and fulfilling one's dream and gave me a lot to think about. The story moves from Germany to Japan and is in German with English subtitles and much spoken English in the second half.The DVD cover calls this movie, "sublime," and I agree. If you've experienced love and loss, this movie will touch you deeply. Highly recommended.

Doris Dorrie,in the past ten (or so)years has matured into a fine film maker & story teller. She first gained fame in the United States with her breezy comedy, 'Men'. After falling on her face with her first English language outing, 'Me & Him', she re-pooled her talents & moved on to write & direct (and sometimes produce)some mighty fine film fare. In the past ten years, she has added a realm of eastern philosophy in her work. 'Cherry Blossoms'(or as it is being marketed in Europe as 'Kirschbluten-Hanami')is a meditation on old age and redemption. An elderly couple visit their adult children in Berlin,only to find that they're strangers in their eyes. The wife, Trudi has always wanted to travel to Japan to see Mt.Fuji & study Butoh dancing (basically,Japan's answer to the mime). Rudi (her husband) couldn't be bothered. When Trudi dies unexpectedly, he is stricken with guilt that he should not have been such a selfish bastard to his wife,and decides to travel to Japan to make amends to Trudi's kindred spirit. While in Japan,Rudi strikes up a friendship with a homeless Butoh performance artist living in a park. What follows is a true odyssey of the soul. This is a beautifully written,directed and played out drama that will touch your heart & perhaps even cause one to re-think of the relationship with one's own parents. Spoken in German & Japanese with English subtitles. Not rated by the MPAA,this film serves up a bit of rough language & some full frontal female nudity during a bath house sequence. Not a good choice for very young eyes.