A Song for Manzanar (film)
Dramatic narrative short film directed by Phil Emerson and Kazuko Golden centering on Sachie and Hiroko, two sisters we first meet in Hiroshima as Sachie, the elder, prepares to leave for the U.S. A few years later, Sachie is incarcerated in Manzanar with her husband Yoshizo and two young children and struggles to communicate with Hiroko, who remains in Hiroshima. Her efforts to enlist the help of a guard to send and receive letters to Japan is juxtaposed with Yoshizo's efforts to get the family released to Chicago .
The story is based on Golden's grandmother's story and a novel in progress by Yosh Golden, her mother. It was filmed in part at the Manzanar site.
Might also like Resettled Roots: Legacies of Japanese Americans in Chicago 2019; Half Kenneth (2008); A Crossroad Called Manzanar (2010)
| Release Date | 2014 |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 16 minutes |
| Director | Phil Emerson |
| Producer | Kazuko Golden |
| Screenplay | Phil Emerson |
| Starring | Emmie Nagata (Sachie), Shiori Ideta (Hiroko), Derek Mio (Yoshizo), Derek Magcase (Johnny), Aaron Goddard (Soldier Sam), Malia Mo (Young Sachie, age 10), Maki Hsieh (Minae), Chelsea Liu, Kotomi Miyashiro (Young Sachie, age 5), Momoka Miyashiro (Young Hiroko, age 3), Cheyenne Liu (Young Hiroko, age 8), Braxton Davis (Officer Frank), Toya Sana'vi Stone (Baby Yosh), Hiroko Imai (Yumiko) |
| Music | Marisa Kosugi |
| Cinematography | Ben Burke |
| Editing | Brett Martinson |
| Studio | Golden Syndicate Productions |
| IMDB Link | https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3881714/ |
For More Information
Filmmaker website: https://www.kazukogolden.com/