English summary

In 2011 the Japanese coastal city of Fukushima is devastated by a catastrophic accident at the nuclear power plant. A number of years later, when the young, idealistic Marie visits from Germany, time appears to have stood still. With ‘Clowns4Help’ she hopes to relieve the pain of Fukushima residents.

Very soon Marie discovers that she is not cut out for her task, in part due to cultural differences. However, just as she wants to leave she meets Satomi, an elderly geisha. Together they go to Satomi’s ruined house in the middle of the contaminated area. Marie decides to work with her to clear out the rubble. Gradually it becomes clear how Marie and Satomi are each haunted by a past that itself requires clearing out. A close friendship develops between the two.

Talented director Doris Dörrie employs penetrating black-and-white images in cinemascope format to paint her pictures of the survivors who are confronted every day with the huge impact the calamity has on their lives.

Fukushima Mon Amour premièred at the 2016 Berlin film festival where it captured two major prizes.