Orizuru - SYNOPSIS -

The drama takes place during WWII, between 1939-1945. An American diplomat, Gregory Jackson (Steven Man), arrives on an intelligence mission to Hiroshima, Japan. Tensions between the two countries are at an all-time high, yet despite the hostile political climate and cultural taboos, a beautiful, young interpreter for the Japanese government named Chizuko (Atsko Hirayanagi) falls into Jackson’s world. Their secret affair leads to a child; all too soon, however, their utopia is shattered when Jackson unexpectedly and seemingly without reason is recalled to the US, alone.

Jackson tries to persuade Chizuko to come to America with him, but Chizuko hesitates to leave behind her family and country. With Jackson’s sincerity, Chizuko finally promises him that she will move to the US after convincing her family. Jackson is given Orizuru (Paper Crane) to remember her until she arrives in the US. As soon as Jackson leaves, Chizuko goes home and tells the truth about her secret relationship with Jackson and unwedded pregnancy. Disgraced by her family, she eventually is disowned and thrown to the streets to live a life of servitude. Soon Chizuko gives birth to a boy, Ken. Chizuko is getting ready to go abroad. Yet, on December 7th, 1941, Jackson and Chizuko learn the news of Pearl Harbor. They understand the their reunion will not happen as soon as they thought it would.

Over the next few years, Jackson fights for any means of contact, but the gauntlet of war has been thrown down and it is then that he learns of a far greater problem, the “"Manhattan Project". Meanwhile, Chizuko raises her 4 year old boy, Ken, in Hiroshima all alone. Due to his unique physical appearance-- his blue eyes, Ken has been bullied by other kids. Chizuko convinces Ken that his father is working on finishing the war and to hang in there till it is over.

On the eve of August 5th, 1945, Gregory Jackson, broken, stares out the window of his Washington home. Ken is in the playground of his school with his only friend Kiyo. Chizuko is at her work with her cruel store owner. They both notice a B-29 flying in the beautiful sky of Hiroshima. It is now 8:15am.