REEL JAPAN: STORIES FROM EAST AND WEST – A Documentary Film Series and Filmmaker Q&A June 6th, 7th, 8th

Arts and Culture El Dorado has announced its first documentary film series, to be held at the El Dorado County Library, Placerville branch. In conjunction with Wakamatsu Farm’s 150^th anniversary, Reel Japan: Stories From East and West features three outstanding documentary films, and one classic of Japanese cinema, that explore the Japanese-American experience and Japanese culture at large. Each evening will conclude with a conversation between the series curator and a principal connected to the film; David “Mas” Masumoto, Antonia Grace Glenn, and Steven Okazaki will each be present at the screening of their documentaries.

The film series Curator, Weston DeWalt, is a writer and documentary filmmaker who has traveled extensively in Japan and produced documentary projects in that country, including Genbaku Shi/Killed by the Atomic Bomb, which was aired on PBS and was the premiere film at the 1986 Margaret Mead Film Festival at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

“The films of REEL JAPAN present an opportunity to look into the heart of Japan’s culture, the depth of its history, and the challenges its citizens have faced after settling in the United States,” says DeWalt. “It’s an honor to present Mas Masumoto, Antonia Grace Glenn, and Steven Okazaki and their films to the Sierra Foothill community.” Admission is free and the event is open to the public.

THURSDAY, June 6, 6:30 – 8:30pm CHANGING SEASON: ON THE MASUMOTO FAMILY FARM

This film chronicles a transitional year-in-the-life of famed farmer, slow food advocate, and sensei, David “Mas” Masumoto, and his compelling relationship with daughter Nikiko, who returns to the family farm with the intention of stepping into her father’s work boots.

Followed by Q&A with Mas Masumoto.

FRIDAY, June 7, 6:30 – 8:30pm THE ITO SISTERS: AN AMERICAN STORY

A feature-length documentary film that captures the stories of three Japanese American sisters, interviewed in their eighties and nineties, as they recount how their immigrant parents struggled to make a life in America at the beginning of the 20th century.

Followed by Q&A with director Antonia Grace Glenn.

For more information about The Ito Sisters, visit: https://www.itosisters.com/

SATURDAY, June 8, 2:00 – 5:30 pm SEVEN SAMURAI

SATURDAY, June 8, 6:30 – 9:00 pm MIFUNE: THE LAST SAMURAI

Seven Samurai, is the classic 1954 Japanese epic samurai drama film co-written, edited, and directed by Akira Kurosawa. The film takes place in 1586 during the Sengoku Period of Japanese history and follows the story of a village of farmers that hire seven rōnin (masterless samurai) to combat bandits who will return after the harvest to steal their crops.

Mifune: The Last Samurai is a documentary created by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki, which explores the accidental movie career of Toshiro Mifune, star of Seven Samurai.

Followed by Q&A with director Steven Okazaki.

There will be a 1-hour dinner break between films. Food available from Morty's Food Truck.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Reel Japan: Stories from East and West was funded in part by:

For information about Wakamatsu Festival 150, visit: https://www.arconservancy.org/wakafest150/