The Japanese
Americans Citizens League's National Headquarters recently awarded MDI
a 1999 Legacy Fund Grant for production of the documentary An American
History: The Resettlement of Japanese Americans in Cleveland. The film
project An American History: The Resettlement of Japanese Americans in
Cleveland will tell the story of those Japanese Americans interned during
World War II who chose to resettle in the Northeast Ohio area. An American
History will not be a simple recounting of internment experiences, but
it will go further and examine the life choices these individuals have
made that have taken them to the North Coast.
This
hour-length film will be presented roughly in a chronological sequence.
Through the use of filmed interviews with internment camp survivors
conducted by the youth chair of the Cleveland Japanese American Citizens
League, Steve Yano, An American History will recount the actual life experiences
of several Japanese-Americans. The film will explore their internment
experiences, their decision to reside in the Cleveland area, the obstacles
they and their families encountered, and their struggles to succeed.
The film will also make use of historical footage, photographs, and other
artifacts to supplement on-camera interviews. Taking an active role in
the production of this project will positively impact the JACL on regional
and national levels, and once completed, An American History will be an
important educational tool to use at seminars, lectures, and discussions
about internment camp experiences and the redress movement. It can also
contribute to larger civil rights discussions to help build and strengthen
alliances within the broader civil rights community.
Finally, by having a Midwestern focus, An American History will raise
issues of WWII internment, resettlement, redress, and civil rights to
communities who may have previously been unaware of them. MDI will commence
production of this project in August and will make the tape available
to the public in February 15, 2000. Through sight, sound, motion, and
emotion, viewers will experience this incredible part of American history
and hear the stories of true survivors.
|