Finding Home - documentary by Art Nomura

On Tuesday night, I saw Art Nomura's documentary Finding Home as part of Visual Communication's VC FilmFest.

I had known about the documentary previously because he has given permission for some of the interview footage he took to be used in the Real People section of this website. So, I had seen clips from Ann Nakamura and Jane Aiko Yamano's interviews.

I found the documentary really interesting. Particularly the range of individuals...all Japanese Americans, but who have been there for varying lengths of time, of different economic and social circles, age, gender, and occupations. It was really interesting to see the other featured interviews.

What I've found really enlightening through these interviews, and others that I have heard or read about (and not just Japanese Americans, but of other Nikkei like Japanese Brazilians), is that in their own country, they have always been labeled Japanese. However, when they get to Japan, they find for the first time, that although they look like the majority, they are no longer considered Japanese. They are foreigners.

All of the featured interview subjects have been in Japan for many years and have established lives in Japan. I think most were married or at least involved, and several had children. I don't think any of them was fluent in Japanese when they arrived, and many still aren't really completely fluent. It was interesting watching the footage with Peter Mizuki and his family. He speaks to them in English, and they respond in Japanese.