In the flower field, Cloud tells Aerith that he wants to be forgiven. In at least one of the Film Festivals (Venice, I think), Cloud hears Aerith say that she never blamed him. Yet, he goes on to ask Vincent if it's possible to be forgiven for a sin, which shows that he has yet to forgive himself.

When Cloud turns around, Aerith disappears. Does Cloud need to forgive himself before he is able to see Aerith?

Probably.
Not being able to look at someone in the face means he could be feeling guilt for what happened to her (her death...) He feels guilty because he felt like he just watched her die and wasn't able to do anything to save her or even to prevent her from dying. He feels like it's his fault, to the point that maybe sometimes, he could think that he was the one who killed her by what he did.
They're standing back-to-back... which could mean that he still couldn't face her because he still feels that guilt. She touches him, meaning she's already facing him when she did so, but he still has his back towards her. Her touching him could mean that it's an indication that he should forgive himself... something like, "Please look at me, I'm right here." and it could be an equivalent of being able to forgive himself once he is able to face her again and look at her straight in the face.

...uhm... I don't know if my explanation made sense. <_< but anyway, I think that's it... ^_^

I think that he hasn't forgiven himself yet, but he's on the road to. Like he's got hope. In the scene by the lake after talking to Vincent about being forgiven, he seems to perk up, takes Marlene by the hand, and marches off. I think he'll forgive himself by the end of the movie

I agree that he'll probably be able to forgive himself by the end of the movie, but I'm wondering if his guilt is what's preventing him from seeing Aerith's face? Once he forgives himself, will he be able to turn around and face her without Aerith disappearing?

That would sorta go along with what Tifa said:

That's how I see it, too. He's unable to face her because of his guilt. Once he forgives himself, though, he should be able to face her again and see her face. At least, that's what I'm hoping! :lol: It would be wonderful if he embraced her and kissed her at that moment, too. Come on, Square... show us that! :lol:

I would giggle for a year straight if they hugged and kissed at the end. And I'm not the girly type. :lol:

What I am worried about here is that Square just may listen to millions of CloTi people and do something like this... Cloud meets Aeris again, Aeris puts Cloud at ease and tells him to live on being happy with Tifa because she is waiting for him, Cloud feels better and does so, blah blah blah. I REALLY hope Square won't choose this path. All those hints in other games would be for nothing in my opinion. Not to mention the wonderful Amano artwork.

Best case scenario I see is that Cloud saves the world again and sees Aeris and communicates in some way that he loves her. I had a different idea before about how Cloud saves the world but it is just a little too late for him and he dies of Geostigma. After that he sees Aeris in the flower field he dreamed of and realizes that she is his Promised Land.

*Sniff*

I'm rather worried about that, too... but IF Square decides to go that route, they'd better at least confirm that Cloud loved Aerith. God forbid that he end up with Tifa - I would *hate* it if he ended up with her :( - but if Square has to do it, then at least confirm for us that he loved Aerith and that he would choose to be with Aerith instead of Tifa if he had the choice.

SERIOUSLY. That would be EVIL. I doubt they will though...*looks around, knocks on wood*

...but then again in one of the threads in this forum, it was mentioned that Nomura said that Aerith fans wont' be disappointed in Advent Children, right? So I think (and I hope and I pray) that the Cloti thing wouldn't happen... <_<

It's not just Cloud who needs forgiveness... also Tifa. They've all got faults. Even the Wheelchaired guy has faults from before... even the Turks. Everyone has to be forgiven... baaaaaah..... :blink: Okay forget I ever said that... <_< I think I might end up confusing people and then eventually confusing myself again... <_<

I think that Cloud will have to find forgiveness before he's able to see Aerith's face. I also think that's why we haven't seen her face yet. If her face is such an important part of the movie, then Square simply doesn't want us to see her face before Cloud does.

But many people seem to think that Cloud finding forgiveness will result in Cloud being free to move on from his guilt and learn to enjoy all that life has to offer. I really doubt that because I just don't see that as part of Cloud's character. Aerith's death has had a great impact on Cloud, but I don't think it's the only thing troubling him.

Cloud is still troubled by insecurity, self-doubt, and problems with his self image. I doubt that finding forgiveness for Aerith's death will suddenly make all of that vanish. Even if he finds forgiveness for Aerith's death, I think there's still a lot for Cloud to resolve. I doubt that he'll suddenly become a happy camper who's ready to go out and enjoy life if he finds forgiveness and lives.

I agree completely that even forgiveness from Aerith itself is not going to relieve Cloud of his sense of guilt. Like Aly said, I think Cloud's since of guilt and insecurity, even though it's projected on Aerith in this case, lies much deeper in Cloud's psyche than a simple "I forgive you" from Aerith could heel. Heck, haven't we already heard Aerith say to Cloud that she never blamed him? There's something more going on here, and yes, I totally believe that whatever it is, Cloud coming to terms with it will be the key to him being able to "see Aerith's face" once in for all. I get the sneaking suspicion that it may be that Cloud not only feels guilty over Aerith's death, but cannot come to terms with the fact that he truly misses her and, well... loves her, and that this sense of personal loss and personal connection with another person (Aerith) is what Cloud really needs to come to terms with. His "guilt" is sort of hiding a deeper inner termoil within Cloud in regards to his true feelings for Aerith, and his innability to "admit" to his feelings for her, and thus "admit" the full scope of his sense of loss at her death. Perhaps Aerith wants... or even NEEDS Cloud to admit his true feelings to her in order for the two of them to truly be able to connect after death... or perhaps this is necessary to preserve her "memory" for the future (going back to that other thread on the importance of "memories" that Aly started...). I dunno, it seems like Cloud needs to be able to acheive some sort of "breakthrough" in order for the two of them to be able to connect, or reach each other, after death. Perhaps Cloud being able to admit his love for her is the only way he will ever truly be able to meet her in the Promised Land? who knows...

I remember in one of these posts that Aeris face is never shown. True, in the trailers, but I've seen her face in one of the AC Image dealies. (Don't know if anyone mentioned this.) I remember saying something to a friend that she looked a lot like Yuna from FFX. :ermm:

That was just a Photoshopped image of Yuna.

Aerith is an important character in FFVII. And she obviously has a special place to all the people who worked on said game.

It would demeaning, to say the least, that her role on AC was just a person Cloud wants to get forgiveness from. I'm expecting more from their bond, some insight on grief and love.

No, I don't think that she's just the person to seek forgiveness from. Check out this part of the trailer


[Cloud's flashback]
---[Tifa]
Stop running away already! I know already!

Even if we do find the kids, there may still be nothing we can do for them!
Maybe we can't get them back at all, even! That's what you're scared of, right?


[WCM ~I think~]
Cloud...is this about you fighting again?


[Tifa]
...were we overcome by our memories?


[Cloud]
But I just stood by and let her get killed.


[Aerith's voice]
You and your laments...

How about if I say, "I forgive you"?---


(back to present)



[Cloud]
Do you think a sin can be forgiven?


[Vincent]
I've never tried.


[Cloud]
Try...

C'mon, Marlene! Let's go home.

(To Vincent) I want to see if I can be. Will inform you if there are results.



In Cloud's flashback, Aerith told him that she forgave him. But Cloud still spoke to Vincent, telling him(Vincent) that he wants to see if he can be forgiven. I think that meansCloud also needs to forgive himself for letting Aerith die. Add that to the fact that he's been grieving for her all these years and it shows just how much Aerith meant to Cloud. Maybe Aerith won't be there physically, but she's a part of Cloud's motive for fighting, and she's still in his heart as well. That's a pretty big 'role' to play. And who knows, she'll probably be there 'spiritually' to help in the battles ahead. Nomura did say that Aerith fans won't be disappointed

BTW, what do the rest of you make of this?:
[Aerith's voice]
I've never laid any blame on him. Ever.

He came, didn't he?

That's really all I could ask for.
It sounds like she's been waiting for him to come to her for a long time...what was stopping him for the past two years? :unsure:

Maybe it was because of what went through the battle with Sephiroth,especially the part on Aerith's death.It coul be that right after that Cloud felt saddened,and probably had phases of depression,maybe his mind wasn't up to wanting forgiveness.Who really knows what's been happening in the past 2 yrs since there's no info on that.

Maybe after 2 yrs, it was time that he seeked forgiveness,though with scenes that has been given to us in the movie you can probably infer how much or how long he was in grief.Maybe from being in dreppression and grief to asking for forgiveness is probably what is showing there.

Yeah, I think during the past two years he was more focused on moping rather than asking for forgiveness. But I don't think Aerith was waiting the past two years for Cloud to ask for forgiveness from her. I can't think of any good reasons for now. :P

I think Cloud wouldn't be able to forgive himself until the end of the movie. The movie, I think, shows more on how Cloud tries to get over the conflict within him more than the external conflicts that involve the kids. It's like Cloud's soul search... Just a guess.

Random thought: I also think that maybe he put the task of saving the children on himself so as to convince himself that he's doing something not worth killing himself for. Haha.

Buhon:

Excellent post, Buhon! I've also been wondering about what I've bolded out there for a while now. I'm glad someone else has similar thoughts. Perhaps AFTER he truly admits to those feelings will he be able to truly bond with her, hence, see and communicate with her. A few of us also predict that the location of the Promised Land itself would have some sort of a tie with the human heart. Maybe Cloud will only reach the Promised Land with a "pure" heart (name of Aeris' theme song, by the way)...which would tie in nicely with the idea that he needs to "admit" to his feelings and come to terms with them first. Perhaps that is the answer the Planet has hinted at him in regarding "meeting her". I can actually see some sort of a connection here with KH's theme of how, although far apart, people may still connect with one another through the heart. Just speculations and possibilities... :)

So sweet ^_^ You guys express your opinions so well and I truely agree with them :D

The last scene when he sees Aeris walk off with Zack, he had a relieved, yet sort of sad face. Happy to finally see her face? Happy to see she's happy? Happy to see her pretty face smiling at him, saying things are ok? Sad that she's leaving so soon?

Hmm i don't think i see any sadness, their might be some. But i see Cloud happy, happy to see that she has been with him this whole time, and always will be there for him.

wow, aerith and cloud were meant for eachother.... :cleris:

I think "bittersweet" would be the right word to describe it.

yeah it would be
But I think all cloud need was to see her face again.
(I cant find the right words to write what I mean...but you guys get the idea...right?)

yeah, its sad at da end, aerith looking back at cloud while zach is waiting, when they leave, its like aerith and zach forgive cloud and get out of his head, but will always be in his heart, like the guilt is no longer there, they smile and leave....

yep..
it's so sad :(
i almost cried in that part :sad:

cloud should be with her :cloud:

yeah, i kinda cried too (i could'nt help it) it was sad, it only depressed me more, after that i heard the most depressing music in my life, i coulnd't stop crying :(, it was so sad....but not as sad as aerith's death...

Yep.. That was so sad :(
but I think that Cloud should kill himself to be with Aerith :wub:

no, aerith gave him hope even after death, thats why cloud should live for, for aerith who sacrificed herself to save everyone....

ok >_<

It's not bad to dream,anyway xD

you know, even though they show zack at the end too, cloud's eyes don't shift. they remain focused on aerith, and aerith only. :cleris:

and the sad way he looks at her.. :cry: It's so sad and romantic..