Hidden Histories

Pictured: Risa and Yasubei Hirano pose with their son George (left) while holding a photograph of their other son, U.S. serviceman Shigera Hirano. The Hiranos were held at the Colorado River camp. Photographer unknown.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Hidden Histories is a touring program of short narrative films about Japanese American incarceration during WWII. Each film tells a personal story dramatizing a different period of this history, starting from Executive Order 9066 (which authorized the confinement sites) to the present-day legacy for younger generations. Hidden Histories commemorates an important chapter in our nation's history, and pays tribute to the 120,000 Americans who suffered the indignity and untold losses of this unjustified incarceration.

These stories also serve as a cautionary tale. The Civil Liberties Act of 1988, signed into law by President Reagan, declared that Japanese American incarceration was "motivated largely by racial prejudice, wartime hysteria, and a failure of political leadership." Despite this forceful statement, our nation is at risk of repeating these grave mistakes. Hidden Histories provides a much-needed reminder of the profound cost of abandoning our ideals of an inclusive society and equal protection under the law.

WORLD PREMIERE

The premiere screening has been postponed. More details to come.

Bookings - COMING SOON

PAST SCREENINGS (vol. 1)

Featured

TADAIMA

Directed by Robin Takao D'Oench
George, Akiko, Kaori, and Kazuo return to their former house following the end of World War II and the closure of the Japanese American confinement sites. Arriving home, they find the house ransacked by vandals and in a state of disrepair, but there is a glimmer of hope that the future holds better days.

THE ORANGE STORY

Directed by Erika Street
Koji Oshima is the proud owner of a small corner grocery store, but he must now abandon everything and report to an assembly center, en route to a more permanent confinement site. His belongings, his business – everything must be sold except for what he can carry in one large duffel bag.

HENRY'S GLASSES

Directed by Brendan Uegama & Nicole Leier
Set in a Japanese Canadian internment camp, a young boy must use the power of his imagination to escape reality and help an elderly new friend.

PROGRAM THEMES & DISCUSSION TOPICS

The troubling story of Japanese American incarceration during WWII is an important but often glossed-over part of American history. Hidden Histories commemorates and explores this complicated history through four short films, coupled with an optional post-screening panel discussion, including reflections on how this history is relevant today. Themes and discussion topics include:

Civil liberties vs. national security
Wartime hysteria
Immigration and naturalization
Patriotism and national identity

SCREENINGS SPECS

Format: Blu-ray, DVD, or digital file (.mov, .mp4, etc.)
Runtime: 75 minutes
Language: English and Japanese (w/ subtitles)
Rating: Unrated, family-friendly

PROJECT SUPPORT

Hidden Histories is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program.