Michigan based documentary film and photographer [excerpt from July 26, 2017 screening announcement in Ypsilanti, Michigan]
Trailer for the film: https://vimeo.com/103453868
| | vimeo.com Threshold: Whispers of Fukushima trailer vol. 2 - Music Edition. This documentary film illuminates how several individuals have decided to live in the wake of the ... | |
"The issues of Fukushima are very complicated and delicate, and there is no easy way to explain what the problem actually is. The mass media especially tends to create TV programs which are unnecessarily sensational, and they consciously edit those programs to make viewers emotional. So, now, I refuse the offer to do interviews for those programs. Also, Fukushima has changed much since the disastrous events occurred. Locals hesitate to speak about it. It's because of resignation to the unchanging conditions, or fear of exacerbating the situation within the community by speaking to outsiders. It seems better not to talk about anything.
In such conditions, I think 'Threshold: Whispers of Fukushima' became a very unique work. Toko omitted explanations, as much as possible, and connected people's calm honest talk (like they're speaking to themselves) and live music performances by the interviewees, to allow them to tell their life stories. Perhaps this is not even really a movie about "Fukushima". Even if she shot it in Fukushima, the theme of the film is not "the accident" nor "lost home", rather, it is a fundamental human theme: "what is 'living one's own life?'". Each individual has their own purpose in life, joy, and goal. Everyone is different from each other. Therefore, no one can truly say "my way of living is right or yours is wrong." After experiencing the confusion created by the accidents in Fukushima, I deeply feel this. How interesting that everyone in this movie, including me, said this same thing, although by coincidence.
Please watch this film once, just putting aside all preconceptions or background knowledge of Fukushima. And, if you can reconsider your own way of living life and your own sense of value by experiencing our stories, if you can perhaps reconsider the meaning of living on this planet Earth, and how we may to continue to live…… if this movie allows you to feel this… I can say this project succeeded." – Yoshimitsu Takuki
--------- And recently one of the groups who got featured in the movie Yamakiya Taiko ensemble played at Blissfest in MI! If you are interested, check out these clips! They are amazing!
https://youtu.be/eM2Q3fqzuFU &
https://youtu.be/TuL4XLQLJmU
 | youtu.be "Kazane" (Sound of Breeze) - a letter from our village... composed by Genki Endo "風音" 故郷のから吹く懐かしい風が今を教えてくれる。強く優しく懐かしい風の音… アメリカ・ミシガンのBlissfestのセカンドステージでの最終日の演... | |
https://youtu.be/TuL4XLQLJmU
(Actually they played at Power Center last year, and so, you may have seen them in person! The fantastic residency was actually supported by CJS, CFWPS, and U of M SMTD!)
And lastly, here is the message clip from the leader of the clip about the movie: https://www.facebook.com/octoberbabiestoko/videos/10212324297756439/
And lastly, here is the message clip from the leader of the clip about the movie: https://www.facebook.
Current documentary project: "Threshold: Whispers of Fukushima"
http://thresholdfukushima.com
http://thresholdfukushima.com
October Babies: http://octoberbabies.
2017-07-13
recent blogs - visual and language materials for Japan; Japanese language
--cross-posting from H-Japan of July 12, 2017
<><>Member Blog: New Online Digital Resource (Everyday Japanese Culture and Society)
https://abritishprofinjapan.blogspot.jp/
| abritishprofinjapan.blogspot.jp A blog about life in everyday Japan written by a British professor |
Responsible person(s): Chris Burgess
Synopsis: Regular snapshots of everyday life in Japan with a nature and language focus plus musings on Japanese culture and society for Japan language learners and Japan lovers in general.
Content type: Short posts on life in everyday Japan with images and reading recommendations. Also a "Resources" section with links and information on Japanese Studies tools and sites
<><>Re-Envisioning Japan: Japan as Destination in 20th Century Visual and Material Culture
https://rej.lib.rochester.edu/
| rej.lib.rochester.edu Re-Envisioning Japan is an open-ended recuperative project based on an original collection of tourism, travel and educational ephemera in a wide range of media. |
Responsible person(s): Joanne Bernardi
Synopsis: Creative digital curation of an original physical collection of travel and educational ephemera about Japan
Content type: High resolution images, moving images, audio materials, interactive timeline
Synopsis: Creative digital curation of an original physical collection of travel and educational ephemera about Japan
Content type: High resolution images, moving images, audio materials, interactive timeline
Intended audience: Academic community and general public
Host institution: University of Rochester
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