Flower Ring
| Flower Ring | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Darzana Magbaredge |
| Written by | Ryuk Chang-min |
| Produced by | Darzana Magbaredge Gregory Craig Hwang Hae-seong |
| Starring | Richard Philip Todd Seon Myung-dae Ryuk Chang-min Klankain Auchinleck IV Bernice Cu Jonathan Vo Nguyen Khan Tai Ginpachi Sakata Christiana Engle |
| Cinematography | James Layton |
| Edited by | Saori Suzushiro Akino Terai Hyeong Dong-chul Thiếu Văn Dạt |
| Music by | Angus MacDonald There You'll Be by Kaoru Shiono |
Production companies | Gold Coast Studio, Zanarkand |
| Distributed by | Endelmann Pictures |
Release date | November 25 2015 |
Running time | 252 minutes |
| Countries | Zanarkand Joyonghea |
| Languages | English Nihhonnese Joyonghean Quenminese |
| Budget | 15 million Gil |
| Box office | 752 million Gil |
Flower Ring is a 2015 Zanarkian-Joyonghean romance-war film based. It was directed by amateur film director Darzana Magbaredge, produced by Gregory Craig and Hwang Hae-song and written by Ryuk Chang-min. It features an ensemble cast consisting mostly personnel of Task Force 141 that included Richard Philip Todd, Seon Myung-dae, Ryuk Chang-min, Klankain Auchinleck IV, Bernice Cu, Jonathan Vo, Nguyen Khan Tai, Hyeong Dong-chul, Ginpachi Sakata and Christiana Engle.
Flower Ring is a dramatic telling of Edward Samegawa's experience during the Third Joyonghean-Quenminese War of the Second Europan War especially Edward Samegawa's romantic story with Chae Hwa-young. It was the highest grossing film of 2015 as well as being a major box office success, earning at least 752 million Gil worldwide in the span of 1 year and a half. It earned 55 million Gil at the premiere, becoming the highest grossing film at a box office premiere. It was nominated for six academy awards, including Best Storyboard. The film was distinguished as the first film sponsored by the Lucis Armed Forces, Zanarkian Defence Force and the Joyonghean Sovereign Army that earned as high as 700 million Gil. The earnings were also shared to the Edward Samegawa and Chae Hwa-young Veterans Foundation, a foundation founded by the couple to support veterans and war heroes of various conflicts.
Plot
The film begins in 1929, Edward (Richard Philip Todd) is making his way to the King's Royal Academy of Zanarkand being late for 5 minutes until he accidentally stumbles onto Karen Cooper (Christiana Engle). Edward helps her get up and fix her things and the two decided to go together. Once they arrive, They are caught by the Academy's Prefect and the two are sent to the office where the two receive scoldings. Karen was already due for a transfer due to her tardiness. As the prefect was about to sign it, Edward calls the prefect a Dirty Imperial. The Prefect reacts by telling the two that he fought the Imperials during the First Europan War and that he prays that no one will ever have to see the things he saw. The Prefect then cancels the transfer and Edward and Karen go to their classes. This marked the start of their relationship.
Four Years Later, Edward and Karen graduate and the two immediately enlist with Edward in the army and Karen in the Navy. Edward is assigned to the Royal Zanarkian Guards and his skillfulness in training them made the division one of the most respected in the Zanarkian Army. He receives the nickname "Ed the Boomer" to which after he changes the divisionary patch into a Kangaroo from a Dingo under approval of his superior. Two days later, He receives news that he will receive his own second-in-command named Roy Peterson (Klankain Auchinleck IV). The two men then develop a very close friendship that resembled a brother-to-brother. One day, Edward and Roy sees the prefect that caught Edward. The Prefect refused to salute him but Edward said that he salutes him for his rank and not for his attitude or punctuality.
In 1935, Edward is promoted to Brigadier General and takes over command of the division. When another war was around the corner, He prepared his division. However, He was relieved of his command and was transferred along with Peterson to command the Third Battalion of the Royal Zanarkand Regiment. Edward repeatedly kept sending letters to the high command of giving him the command of his old division back but it was constantly rejected and Edward gave up. Roy informs Edward that they will be shipped to Africanna within a few days and Edward hurries to find Karen.
A day later, Edward and Karen were reunited but only for two days since Karen had to go back to her station in Darwin. The two shared a night on the same room and had breakfast on the following day before spending the rest of the day together. On their last day together, Edward proposes to Karen to which she accepts and they agree that they will marry somewhere but in Zanarkand after the war. Edward tells Karen not to see him depart from Darwin two days away but He is glad when she does go to Darwin to see him. Edward and Karen share a kiss before Edward departs and waves his last (and final) goodbye to Karen.
Three years later, Edward, after his promotion to Colonel receives his first taste of combat after being assigned by his superior, Maj. Gen. Archibald Sugiyama (Karl Kretschmann) to command the XX Zanarkian Corps. He orders Edward and Roy to go to Ridge 61 to provide a forward position and prevent the Archadian and Guadosalam Troops from endangering the Left Commonwealth Flank. On the night of the 6th of January, They came under attack by enemy forces and managed to repulse it for 12 days despite Enemy Forces attempting to encircle around his smaller force. He was then reinforced on the 18th and Sugiyama personally recommended him for a medal. On the 25th of February, 1938, Edward is pinned with the Distinguished Service Cross by Sugiyama and is promoted to Brigadier. Months come and gone and Edward receives outstanding praise from his superior Sugiyama. Edward soon attracts the attention of the High Command and is given an order to return to Zanarkand for a reassignment.
At this time, The Zanarkian and Lucian Government has been in negotiation with the Joyonghean government, who were desperate to receive support after being turned down by the Aurocolians then the Federation and now turns to the Lucis Commonwealth. The Lucian Prime Minister Churchill agrees to send support to the Joyongheans with troops from Zanarkand and the UK. At the same time, Edward goes to the Naval Base at Darwin to look for Karen but is sad to learn that Karen has been assigned to serve aboard HMZS Melbourne. Roy comforts his friend, telling him that She still remembers the promise they made, this gave Edward somehow a boost to his morale. A few weeks later, Edward manages to form a new army, the Fifth Zanarkian Imperial Force that consisted of mostly troops from his old command including the Royal Zanarkian Guards. Edward receives promotion for Major General while Peterson receives promotion for Brigadier and becomes Edward's second-in-command once again. The two are awarded with the Military Medal before being shipped out.
On the 12th of June 1940. Edward and Roy is told of the plan to land on Joyonghea codenamed Operation Bugger and then to rendezvous with the Joyonghean Army providing inland support. The next day, Edward and Roy land on Samcheok Beach with Edward's friend, Maj. Gen. Okita Hanamura (Ginpachi Sakata) aiding them in the landings. The beach was secured by the time dusk came. The next day. Edward, along with Roy and Okita arrives in a Joyonghean base and meets up with the Joyonghean commander, Cheon Sang-ji (Somun Tae-joon); who tells the trio that he will need their support to reach the other Joyonghean army on the other side. However, the towns of Tonghae and Taebaek, occupied by Quenminese forces are preventing the link up. Edward and Okita decided to separate their forces with Okita attacking Taebaek and Edward attacking Tonghae.
The following day, Edward finds out that things in Taebaek are in a stalemate while He manages to take Tonghae and rendezvous with the Joyonghean Army on the other side. Here, he meets Namgung Wook-yun (Ryuk Chang-min), who is delighted to see Edward because He had been holding out his position for 10 days already without Sang-ji's forces being able to reinforce him. In the aftermath, Okita only meets partial successes but manages to reinforce most of the Joyonghean Forces on his side while Edward completes his objective. The following week, Edward and Roy is introduced to Chae Hwa-young (Seon Myung-dae) by Wook-yun and She immediately requests Edward's forces to reinforce her flank to attack Hill 252 while Wook-yun attempts to cut-off Quenminese reinforcements from arriving on Hwa-young's flank. Edward agrees to the plan and the three codenames the operation as Operation Jupiter.
On the 9th of July, Operation Jupiter commences and Edward and Hwa-young's forces are met with heavy resistance from the Quenminese, causing them to arrive to Hill 252 only by the 25th of July. Edward then decides to reinforce Wook-yun's and leave the defense of the Hill to Hwa-young. On the 14th of August, Roy informs Edward that Hwa-young is under heavy attack and that she can't hold on for long. Edward quickly scolds Roy for not sending reinforcements to Hwa-young's flank and that he could've done what should be done. Nonetheless, Edward manages to make his way back to Hill 252 and reinforce Hwa-young. The aftermath saw the allies victorious. The Allies parade in Samcheok as Hwa-young and Wook-yun look on as Edward demonstrates the discipline of the Commonwealth Forces to which they were mostly impressed. The trio were then called by the Joyonghean High Command to merge their armies to which the trio agreed. The First Zanarkian-Joyonghean Army Group was formed with Wook-yun insisting that Edward would be the overall commander under Hwa-young's advice. Edward at first was reluctant to accept the position but after being told by Hwa-young that she can't find anything perfect, He agreed. Wook-yun then tells Edward that their victories will make them famous and makes a promise to Edward that he will treat him with true Joyonghean liquor once they win the war.
Two years later, The trio has met with many successes in the battlefield. As Edward was about to go out to celebrate with Wook-yun, Hwa-young, Roy and Okita; He receives a devastating letter from Albert Crocker (Kurasame Susaya) that Karen was tragically killed during the Battle of the Zanarkian Sea the day before. It is here where he learns from Crocker that Karen was shot in the back by a stray bullet while running for cover from a Quenminese strafing run. 10 minutes have passed and Hwa-young notices that Edward has not come out of his quarters. She and Wook-yun decided to go to his quarters to see that he is sitting on the floor with his back rested on the wall while holding the letter crying. Edward gives Hwa-young the letter and she reads it to which Hwa-young correctly guessed that Karen is Edward's fiancee. The two comfort him, telling him that the will make the Quenminese pay but Edward frustratingly goes back to this quarters and refused to speak to anyone for two days.
Three months later, Edward is able to move on after Hwa-young comforts him. They continuously work together while Wook-yun works with Roy. The two of them converse many times and Edward sees Hwa-young's compassionate heart and realizes that he is developing feelings for her. But days later, Wook-yun goes on to confess his love to Hwa-young. Edward finds out about this after Hwa-young tells him. Later that night, He goes to Wook-yun and explains that he also loves Hwa-young. Wook-yun tells Edward to back off and the two almost go into a heated fight before Roy and Okita separate the two. The following week, Wook-yun proposes to Hwa-young to which she accepts and Edward walking out of the ceremony. The following day, Hwa-young goes to Edward and tells him that She will remain with Wook-yun, though she claims the she will love Edward just as much. Edward delivers a cold reply, telling her that she can do whatever she wants and that he'll never get into their business.
In early 1943, Edward has come to terms with Wook-yun and agrees to be the best man for the wedding to which Hwa-young was glad. Wook-yun sets the wedding for November 1943 but the trio are ordered to do one more battle before they could celebrate the matrimony. Edward expects that it will be big and discusses with Wook-yun and Hwa-young to prepare their forces after using intel obtained. By early October, Their forces were ready and attacked Mushroom Hill, which was a few miles away from the Chuncheon Region. However, Things did not go well as planned as their forces were flanked by the Quenminese. Wook-yun and Edward tell Hwa-young to go to Okita for reinforcements while the two of them continue the attack. On the 20th of October, Edward and Wook-yun threw their last possible attack and successfully pushed the Quenminese out of the Hill but as they made their way to the hill, They were ambushed by Quenminese troops. Roy and Yuto raised their hands up while Edward was knocked to the ground with his feet tied and Wook-yun's arms restrained. As Wook-yun was about to be taken away, Edward grabs his Webley revolver and starts to shoot at Wook-yun's captors however, He runs out of ammo and as the Quenminese troops were about to shoot Edward, Wook-yun gets into the middle and gets shot three times. Roy and Yuto take advantage by drawing their webleys and kill their captors before Roy throws a grenade to finish off the remaining Quenminese patrolmen. Yuto however was wounded in the process. Edward goes and holds a dying Wook-yun in his arms. Wook-yun tells Edward that he won't make it and is 'cold' but Edward shoots back by telling him that he'll make it then the film's emotional conversation take place:
- Wook-yun: Can you have someone else write my name on the tombstone?
- Edward: Wook-yun, You're not gonna die. You can't die.....You can't die. You wanna know why? Because you're gonna be a husband and a father. Hwa-young is waiting there... You're gonna be a daddy... a father. Please.....
- Wook-yun: No......You are......
With that, Wook-yun dies in Edward's arms and cries over the death of his best friend while Roy, carrying a wounded Yuto looks on. 2 days later, Hwa-young salutes Edward as he comes out of the truck, carrying Wook-yun's coffin.
A day after Wook-yun's burial, Edward tells her that he couldn't save him and that it was all his fault but Hwa-young tells him that its not his fault that Wook-yun died. He tells Edward to give the command of the army to her but Edward shoots back, saying that she can't take on the Quenminese Army all by herself. Hwa-young angrily replies that the Quenminese is the reason why Wook-yun died as well as the whole war. He contradicts her saying that she can't solve anything with vengeance. She tries to reason out but Edward left her to be on her own, saying that she'll regret what she will do.
In November of 1943, Hwa-young is left in charge of the army and goes ahead of her plans with Edward being placed as second-in-command. Edward notices Hwa-young being aggressive on her attacks on the Quenminese and he is left with nothing but to follow orders. Edward kept protesting on her orders describing them as suicidal but Hwa-young repeatedly ignores these protest and goes ahead of her plans. She could barely send orders to advance because it was snowing and many vehicles were bogged down but none of these stopped Hwa-young from accomplishing her revenge on the Quenminese. By the 10th of December, Chuncheon was within her sight.
In the 20th of December, Hwa-young encounters a devastating counter-attack by the Quenminese after she sends orders to advance further into Chuncheon, endangering her forces and herself. Roy informs Edward about this and told him that Hwa-young may be too late to be saved, holding for at least only a day. Edward's points were correct that if Hwa-young had only listened to him, She wouldn't have to deal too much trouble. Deciding not to waste any time, He tells Roy to get the 9th Zanarkian Division and the 7th Zanarkian Division to Hwa-young's faltering line at once but is cut short when Roy informs Edward that the two divisions are not yet ready for a fight until the following day. Edward blasts Roy and decides to head out on his own, grabbing a Bren gun, his revolver and taking a jeep from the motor pool. He then leaves Roy orders to immediately send the divisions by the dawn of the 20th before he leaves the base. Edward encounters artillery barrages and bullets but none of these stopped him as he drove on and on.
On the way. Edward manages to see a Theimer Firefly Crew who were about to head out after repairing but the crew is reduced to 3. Edward decides to fill in the spot and commandeers the tank. Minutes later, Edward arrives to the scene of the battle and could see that Quenminese Armor is approaching Hwa-young's lines. From a distance, Edward pinpoints the targets and signals the order to fire at the approaching enemy tanks. The Joyonghean Troops on the ground were overjoyed to see Edward's Tank. However, The tank runs out of ammunition later and Edward abandons the tank. He had no choice but to fight the Quenminese the hard way and shoots back with his Bren gun and fired clip after clip as he rushed to Hwa-young's side.
Hwa-young was shocked to see Edward arrive and the two help each other in an attempt to repulse the enemy attack. Seeing that they could not suffer another attack, Hwa-young orders her troops to retreat while she holds back against the enemy by her lonesome, sacrificing herself in the process. Edward immediately protests and for the first time, scolds Hwa-young for doing such a ridiculous and insane action. He tells Hwa-young that even if she sacrifices herself, It would mean nothing because her death can't stop an army nor a war, not without someone to be with her. Edward sees Hwa-young cry for the first time and she tells that it will be worth it since her lover is already dead and her own dignity is all that's left but Edward tells her that there are still people that love and care for her, just like him. Hwa-young's eyes widen and realizes that Edward maybe right. Then the film's climactic conversation and the most memorable moment takes place:
- Hwa-young: Edward.....
- Edward: Before Wook-yun died, He told me that I should be the one to take care of you because he sees that I've always been there to accompany you back then. It was something I was reluctant to accept but I had to agree because....
- Hwa-young: Because? *Hwa-young visibly starts to blush*
- Edward: You mean so much to me, Hwa-young. I will not let you get into harms way. Hwa-young... I love you.
- Hwa-young: Eddy-kyun! *tears start to pour down her eyes*
- Edward takes a flower that Karen gave to Edward right before he departed and ties it like a ring
- Edward: Hwa-young... once this war is over. Will you be with me? Will you be my dear always?
- Hwa-young: Yes, I will. Always.
Edward and Hwa-young share their first passionate kiss as Hwa-young could not hold her tears of joy back. As the two kissed, Commonwealth artillery started to bombard Quenminese positions, overwhelming the enemy attacks near them and is called off. Hwa-young simply describes the enemy retreat as beautiful and Edward agreed. The two then left the battlefield to look for a shelter to which they found in the form of a small farmhouse. Edward removed his trench coat and used it to blanket the two of them as Hwa-young embraces her new fiancee and soon-to-be husband, feeling the warmth of his heart as the two shared their first night together.
The following morning, Edward and Hwa-young are overjoyed to see Roy had arrived to rescue them and that Roy had finally given the order to march to Chuncheon. Edward and Hwa-young shocked him when they said that the two of them are now together and plan to get married. Edward and Hwa-young shared a kiss in front of their men to prove it. On Christmas Day, Hwa-young enjoys a playful evening with Edward as they finalize their plans for the wedding in Chuncheon. On the 31st of December, Chuncheon is finally declared secured and Edward and Hwa-young immediately change to their wedding attire. Attended by the mass of their men and civilians, The couple are wedded inside Chuncheon Cathedral and share a kiss at the turn of the new year, finally igniting Edward and Hwa-young's married life.
Two years later, The war ends and Edward decides to spend a year with his wife, Hwa-young in which they live in Hwa-young's home wearing Yukatas. They see their baby named Wook-yun holding a flower and giving it to its mother while Edward enjoys Hwa-young's homecooking. They are visited by Cheon Sang-ji, who tells them that they are being recalled for service once more and that the high command expects their immediate reply. On the day of the appointment, The lovers tell Sang-ji to keep their departure a secret and playfully goes along with it. Instead of going to Yeolcheon, The couple and their son go to Samcheok Airport where a Royal Zanarkian Air Force Plane was waiting for them and the pilot was none other than Roy Peterson. Hwa-young throws away her military cap, takes Edward's slouch hat and places it on her own head before sharing a moment and making love inside the plane as it flies for Zanarkand, taking their son with them.
The epilogue, as narrated by Myung-dae (who plays Hwa-young) shows that Edward and Hwa-young settled in Kirribilli and renew their vows the moment they arrived on Zanarkand. The two open a business and receive two more children. Many honors have been made on the couple and that their love story has been the most popular topic of many and is depicted in movies, books, anime and manga. The last scene of the movie shows Hwa-young and Edward fishing in their backyard with the city of Sydney in the background as well as the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The two say "I love you" before sharing a longer and passionate kiss and making love.
Cast
Main
- Richard Philip Todd as Major General Edward Samegawa; Overall Commander of the First Zanarkian-Joyonghean Army Group
- Seon Myung-dae as Grand General Chae Hwa-young; Edward's second lover and later wife, First Zanarkian-Joyonghean Army Group
- Ryuk Chang-min as Army General Namgung Wook-yun; Best Friend of Edward and Hwa-young's first lover, First Zanarkian-Joyonghean Army Group
- Klankain Auchinleck IV as Brigadier General Roy Peterson; Second-in-command of Edward, First Zanarkian-Joyonghean Army Group
- Jonathan Vo as Imperial Marshal Hồ Danh Sĩ Quốc; Overall Commander of the Joyonghea Imperial Front
- Nguyen Khan Tai as Major General Ông Thao Pin; Joyonghea Imperial Front
- Bernice Cu as Lieutenant Sái Nguyệt; Aide to Major General Ông Thao Pin, Joyonghea Imperial Front
- Ginpachi Sakata as Major General Okita Hanamura; Commander of the Lucis Eleventh Army
- Christiana Engle as Lieutenant Karen Cooper; Edward's first lover and fiancee before her death
Secondary Cast
- Somun Tae-joon as Army General Cheon Sang-ji
- Matthew Vy Trong Thong as Major General Quách Thắng Due; Joyonghea Imperial Front
- Mac Duong Ty as Captain Tran Thanh Binh
- Park Young-ha as Captain Kim Sung-keun
- Karl Kretschmann as Major General Archibald Sugiyama; Edward's superior in Africanna, Lucis Fifteenth Army Group
- Kurasame Susaya as Lieutenant General Albert Crocker
- Edward Carlyle as Brigadier General Simmon Denzel Crocker
- Kiriya Kitagawa as Lucian Prime Minister Winston Churchill
- Hyeong Dong-chul as Colonel Rang Seong-hun; First Zanarkian-Joyonghean Army Group
- Janggok Hae-il as Lieutenant General Seol Ja-kyung
- Nanashi Tokikaze as Yuto Takagawa, First Zanarkian-Joyonghean Army Group
- Angus MacDonald as Prefect of the King's Royal Academy of Zanarkand
Military Consultants
Reception
Comments
The film, during its premiere in Zanarkand was attended by many audiences including Governor-General Tidus Hayakawa and his wife as well as Joyonghean emperor Yeunggyeong. It received many praises among the audiences, including the cast of the film itself and many historians who watched.
The head of the Zanarkian-Joyonghean Friendship committee, Benedict Crocker commented:
"The couple has marked the friendship of the two nations and the film correctly depicts the solid relationship that the Commonwealth has with Joyonghea and what it aims for the rest of the nations worldwide."
Governor-General of Zanarkand, Tidus Hayakawa watched the film with his wife Yuna. The Governor-General commented that the film was stupendous that he could not stop 'standing' up. Prime Minister Yuna commented that 'the empathy of Edward to Hwa-young is something that I can compare to men who are very caring and loving like my husband. But I'm heartbroken there's only a few men left like Edward.'
Joyonghean emperor, Yeunggyeong focused emphasis on the romantic story of Edward and Hwa-young. The performance, as he commented catches the attention of every people, especially those who are in the Zanarkian-Joyonghean Friendship comittee and Zanarkian-Joyonghean citizens.
"This is excellent version of the romance between Edward and Hwa-young. I'm pleased to the fact that their performance captures the audience's emotions really well"
Joyonghean film critic Geun Oh-seong praises the films quality and imagines on a possibility of the couple watching the film.
"Great storyline, great picture and great performance. I'm sure Edward and Hwa-young would be happy if they were to show up"
The cast of the movie itself also appeared on the premiere and offered their words about the film. Richard and his fiancee, Myung-dae expressed their enjoyment on the film, notably being aware that their wedding is set on the date of the historical couple's wedding.
"Being involved in the making of this film is surely a bliss" - Jonathan Vo
"Being in Edward's place is such an extravagant opportunity. Me and My Fiancee really enjoyed playing as the central couple in the film and that many refer to us as the modern Edward and Hwa-young." - Richard Philip Todd, comment on playing with Myung-dae as the main couple.
"It's amazing to be in Hwa-young's shoes; it felt so real being on the set" - Seon Myung-dae
Historical Accuracy
Music
The soundtrack to Flower Ring is composed by Angus MacDonald and was nominated for Best Soundtrack in the Academy Awards and won. The main theme song There You'll Be, sang by Kaoru Shiono lasted for 6 weeks in the charts and won the Academy Award for Best Movie Theme Song. The song reflects on Edward's longingness and love for Hwa-young while Hwa-young realizes that she loves him and that she'll have a place for him in her heart.
Gallery
<gallery> File:FLOWER RING COVOER2.jpg|DVD Cover File:Flower ring promo jo.jpg|Joyonghean Theatrical Poster File:Flower ring promo za.jpg|Zanarkian Theatrical Poster File:Flower ring promo.jpg|Joyonghean Promotional Image File:Flower ring promo 12.jpg|First Promotion Image File:Flower ring promo 23.jpg|Second Promotion Image File:Flower ring promo 5.jpg|Promotional Image