誰かの願いが叶うころ

Information below from: http://www.utada-online.net/PV_dareka.html

This promotional video was directed by Hikaru's husband, Kiriya Kazuaki. He has done many of her music videos, including "FINAL DISTANCE," "traveling," and "Sakura Drops." This song was created for the film "CASSHERN," coincidentally also directed by Kiriya. The title of the song, "Dareka no negai ga kanau koro," (translated roughly to "Around the time someone's wish comes true"), is meant to first portray a positive image, and then as you delve further into the lyrics, you realize that it is meant to evoke sadness and contemplation.

"Around the time someone's wish comes true.... someone else is suffering." That is the message behind this song. The duality of our world. The contradictions and the choices we must make. This is quite eloquently portrayed in the video by the use of chiaroscuro, and using the light and shadow to contrast those opposing positive and negative aspects of our world.

Using a white paper pop-up book to portray the fragility of our world, and using a spinning backdrop and set to mimic the rotation of our world. When half of our world is in light, the other half is overtaken by shadow; the idea that we will always exist in a society where light and darkness will always balance eachother out. These tactics help to bring to life the concepts of Hikaru's deep and emotional lyrics.

A breathtakingly beautiful video.

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My Japanese studies lecturer (Maclachlan?) once mentioned to our tutorial group that Utada was studying in Columbia at the time she was doing her PhD and we were going "wow"!

Well, I'm not quite sure what prompted me to search for Hikki's information online tonight but I found this song she wrote as a theme song for Casshern.

Enjoy the video.