TV News: HBO’s ‘The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom’ Airs on July 16, 2012 on Largest Japanese Quake

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CHICAGO – Oscar-nominated this year for best documentary short subject, “The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom” shows how nature can be a rejuvenating and destructive force when it debuts on July 16, 2012 at 9 p.m. CST exclusively on HBO.

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Japan America Society of Chicago hosted a special premiere of the film on Wednesday in Chicago. HollywoodChicago.com attended the packed theatre where these short 39 minutes from filmmaker Lucy Walker left the crowd mostly silent.

A somber but informative panel with Lyric Hughes Hale (the founder of China Online), Robert Karr (executive vice president of the Japan America Society of Chicago) and Hironori Sawada (deputy consul general at the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago) followed the screening.

Lucy Walker (“Countdown to Zero,” “Waste Land,” “Blindsight” and “Devil’s Playground”) intended to film Japan’s passionate connection to its cherry blossom trees, but was derailed by Mother Nature.

On March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake struck off the coast of Japan and left 15,372 people confirmed dead and 7,762 reported still missing. In the wake of the largest earthquake in the country’s history, some people drew the courage to revive and rebuild from cherry-blossom season – as portrayed in “The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom” – which began within weeks of the tragedy.

“The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom” airs on July 16, 2012 at 9 p.m. CST exclusively on HBO.
Image credit: HBO

“The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom” movie trailer can be watched now below.

By ADAM FENDELMAN Publisher HollywoodChicago.com adam@hollywoodchicago.com