Koisuru Pianist Fujiko Hemming Blu-ray

In every era, wherever she lived, she lived as herself. Pianist Fujiko Hemming was loved around the world, moving listeners deeply with her playing. Her life, coloured by love, and the sound she created continue their journey.

Even after turning ninety, Fujiko continued to perform energetically around the world, with sold-out concerts wherever she appeared. She had many performances planned for 2024 when she died that April at the age of ninety-two. Six years after the unusually long-running success of the 2018 film Fujiko Hemming no Jikan, this documentary follows four years of her journey from 2020 through her performances. Abundant, dynamic concert scenes captured with 4K cameras explore the appeal of the sound that brought comfort to so many listeners.

With homes in Santa Monica, Paris and Tokyo, surrounded by the cats and dogs she loved, her days at the piano formed her cherished world. She reunites with a piano left in Okayama, where she spent the war years; remembers her father and brother; lives through the pandemic and plays in prayer; takes to a dramatic stage in Yokohama, a place full of memories; and shares the story of a secret love. Through it all, Fujiko has always lived in her own way.

Her feelings travel with her as she gives familiar masterpieces fresh colours at every performance, including her signature La Campanella and Pavane for a Dead Princess. At the Conservatoire theatre in Paris in March 2023, she performs Clair de lune, Fantaisie-Impromptu and the Black Key Etude.

Asked what she would like her final concert to be, Fujiko says she would like it to be like the one in Paris. In the places that matter to her, past and memory intersect. The soulful performances and words of wisdom that accompanied her life bring tears to the eyes.