The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossoms (0:40) 2011 (USA/Japan)

The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossoms opens with a video camera shooting the tsunami hitting the coast of Japan as people stand safely on a hill. The camera catches the absolutely devastating destruction of the water blasting everything in its way. The camera catches people running towards the hill as they are about to be overtaken by the surge. We see their last minutes alive. In the midst of all the destruction, the cherry trees survive. The tsunami occurred in March, a month later the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Although cherry blossom festivals were canceled last year, residents did take time to enjoy nature as it is reborn, bringing hope and beauty. My prediction is The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossoms  will take home the Oscar. It is a story of courage, resilience, hope and determination. The scenes of destruction are balanced by the many shots of the cherry trees in the varying ten stages of blossoming. It is a beautifully filmed tale of the triumph of the human spirit.