Thursday Nov. 3: Cruess Hall 1002 (UC Davis)

6:30-9:00pm

Screening of Bon-Uta, a Song from Home (dir. Nakae Yuji, 2018)*

In English with Japanese subtitles; 134 mins.

Introduced by Ai Iwane, associate producer

The first day of the event features an evening screening of the documentary film, Bon-Uta, a Song from Home. Artist Ai Iwane, an associate producer for the project, will introduce the film briefly and take some questions afterward if there is time.

*This is the first screening of the film in the continental United States.

Short Synopsis: The film tells the true story of evacuees from Futabata in Fukushima. Unable to return to their hometown because of the ongoing disaster of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, residents are scattered throughout the country and mourn the loss not only of their community but of their traditions, such as the Futaba Bon-Uta, a festival musical performance they have celebrated for centuries. Through an introduction by the photographer Ai Iwane, they meet a Japanese American Taiko group and learn of a similar Bon-Uta tradition performed by Japanese Americans living in Hawaii. Thus begins a journey through space and time, a journey that brings discovery, friendships, and new hope.

*Film preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNEkGv-aSkw

For a review of the film, see: https://www.thehawaiiherald.com/2019/10/22/film-review-bon-uta-a-song-from-home/

Friday Nov. 4: UC Davis Student Community Center Multipurpose Room 

9:30am-11:30am

Presentations on Film, Manga, Literature, and Photography relating to 3.11

11:45pm - 12:45pm 

Round table discussion