In elementary school I learned the story of the U.S. in World War II from our perspective. The Japanese soldier always the evil and conniving enemy. Cynicism portrayed through retro posters of a buck toothed Japanese soldier with a wide grin and downward eyebrows. However as humans we must understand that everyone, even those we are fighting, are complex. War and death are frightening. For everyone. One filmmaker has sought to tell the story of the Japanese soldier through a documentary that shows the very human side of the Japanese Kamikaze.
Best,
Jason Lee
Founder
Risa Morimoto, a filmmaker from New York City, has sought to tell the story of Asians and Asian Americans throughout her entire career in film.
Morimoto started with a video camera and one incredible journey home from Japan, seeing 14 countries over four months. A few encouraging words and an overwhelming passion led to a career in film and Asian American media.
Morimoto’s passion derives from her love of the film medium.
“As a filmmaker, it’s production. Seeing all these people bringing their various talents to the table to tell one story,” said Morimoto. “As an audience member, I love a well-told story that dares to go beyond the safe conventions of filmmaking.”
Morimoto understands that film is about community in its experience and celebration. It is also a medium that encourages everyone to grow in their work.
“Make sure you LOVE your project,” said Morimoto. “If you don’t love it, there is no way you will be sustain all the energy that goes into planning, making and then putting it out there.”
Recently, Morimoto’s new documentary, Wings of Defeat, has been shown all over the world and even taught in classrooms nationwide.
The documentary follows several Japanese Kamikaze who survived the war and sheds a very human light on an identity often seen in America as soulless and fanatical killers.
- Two former Kamikaze and two Pearl Harbor veterans have an emotional meeting
“After I found out that my uncle trained to be a Kamikaze, I realized that I still believed a lot of the propaganda that was out there,” said Morimoto. “I was so disappointed in myself that I never questioned what these images were that I thought it would make a good topic for a documentary and a story which has not been told yet.”
Morimoto has dedicated much of her career to bringing a more complex and human light to those who have historically been denied self-representation in the public eye. However she knows it takes hard work and preparation to tell the story right.
“I always tell filmmakers to watch a lot of BAD movies. It is the best film school,” she said. “It teaches you really quickly what NOT to do.”
Morimoto exemplifies an artist who can impact the world by connecting filmmaking and Asian American activism. There are many filmmakers out there who create entertainment, but Morimoto is one of the few who are creating a calling for change.
Check out Wings of Defeat: http://www.edgewoodpictures.com/wingsofdefeat/
