On an island in the Northwest Pacific, where the community is marked by racial tension and the scars of World War II, a trial unfolds that will change everything. A young Japanese fisherman, Kazuo Miyamoto, is accused of murdering a handsome white sailor, and all eyes are on the stand. The case is complicated, as it awakens old wounds and resentments among the island's inhabitants, who still carry the weight of the internment of Japanese citizens during the war.
As the trial progresses, local journalist Ishmael Chambers finds himself caught between his memories and his professional duty. Ishmael, who had been in love with Hatsue, Kazuo's wife, experiences an emotional whirlwind, as his love for her has never faded. The story uncovers hidden secrets and confronts the truths of war, loss, and racism. Amid the snow covering the island's cedars, a gripping drama unfolds that intertwines the pursuit of justice with the pain of a shared past.
The characters must confront their own prejudices and the loss of a time that will not return, as each reveals their own truth. In a beautiful yet unforgiving landscape, Kazuo's fate intertwines with that of Ishmael and Hatsue, leading the story to an emotional climax that will resonate long after the last snowfall.