KAEDE

Inspired by Spitz’s beloved 1998 song of the same name, KAEDE transforms its themes of cherished memories and the courage to move forward after loss into a sweeping, star-crossed love story. Drawing on the maple leaf’s symbolism of “beautiful change,” “cherished memories,” and “hesitation,” the film follows two grieving strangers who find healing amid New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes. Popular Japanese actors Sota Fukushi and Haruka Fukuhara bring the central couple to life with moving, understated performances. Directed by Isao Yukisada (CRYING OUT LOVE IN THE CENTER OF THE WORLD), KAEDE reflects on renewal and the quiet power of remembrance. Yukisada calls the project “a warm, fateful continuation” of the journey he began two decades earlier, making this romantic melodrama a resonant adaptation for fans of timeless Japanese love stories. HIFF proudly hosts its world premiere ahead of the film’s December release in Japan.