I've recently learned about what looks to be an interesting documentary about the internment of Japanese-Americans and the crisis of nationality that the experience created.
The documentary will be screened in Berkeley on October 29th and in NYC on Nov. 13th. If anyone of my readers attends either screening, I'd love it if you could send me your thoughts.
From a Silk Cocoon is a true story based on the actual letters exchanged between a young Japanese American couple, Itaru and Shizuko Ina, while imprisoned in two separate American prison camps during World War II. Labeled as "disloyal" and deemed "enemy aliens dangerous to the public peace and safety of the United States," they struggle to prove their innocence and fight deportation. With the discovery of their censored letters, diaries, and haiku poetry, their story tells of the frightening and tragic outcome resulting from wartime hysteria and racial profiling. A story of love and survival, Shizuko and Itaru renounce their American citizenship in protest and then must face the reality of raising their children in war-torn Japan.
Technorati Tags: Berkeley, documentary, Japan, New York City, NYC
Lawson Inada narrates, Lane Nishikawa and Megumi provide the voices of the young couple, and Masayuki Koga performs the original shakuhachi (bamboo flute) woven within Fred Meggs' musical score.
From a Silk Cocoon is produced by the Emmy-nominated Hesono O Production team:
Satsuki Ina - Producer, Co-Director, and Writer
Stephen Holsapple - Co-Director and Editor
Emery Clay III - Director of Photography/Co-Director
Kim Ina - Associate Producer/Outreach Coordinator
Mark Halverson of Sacramento News & Review writes that From a Silk Cocoon ". . . offers a cautionary tale of homeland security . . . compelling . . . stretches beyond the basic facts of the Japanese-American internment experience into the dark and thorny corners of 'perceived military necessity' that is just as frightening and relevant now as it was when it happened . . . An intimate portrait of a family under siege."
The Oct. 29th Berkeley screening info is here:
From a Silk Cocoon to Screen at the Berkeley Video & Film Festival
"Grand Festival Award" Selection
October 29, 2005
From a Silk Cocoon will be screened at the Berkeley Video & Film Festival!
DATE: Saturday, October 29, 2005
TIME: 2:25pm (1-hour screening)
LOCATION: Oaks Theatre, 1875 Solano Ave., Berkeley CA
Box Office: (510) 526-1836
ADMISSION/TICKETS: $5 (matinee screening of From a Silk Cocoon only), $10 for a Day Pass
East Bay Media Center, 1939 Addison St., Berkeley CA, or call (510) 843-3699 (credit card purchases only, for Will Call pick up at the box office with credit cards used and photo ID)
New York City screening of From A Silk Cocoon
DATE: Sunday, November 13, 2005
TIME: 2:45pm
Please note that From A Silk Cocoon will be shown immediately following the 2:00pm screening of AMUMA. For a complete schedule listing, visit www.nyfilmvideo.com.
LOCATION: Village East Cinemas , 181 2nd Ave., New York NY
Discussion and Q & A with filmmakers will be held at a reception following the screening. Location to be announced.
ADMISSION/TICKETS: $11 - order tickets by calling (866) 468-7619 or online at www.nyfilmvideo.com.
EVERY American should view this documentry to learn that the way we treat "enemy" human beings today is not something new, but what has been "our" way (in our name) since Columbus "discovered" America. How else will we ever make America what we claim to be?