J-Sei At the Movies: An Evening with Emiko Omori
Friday, May 14, 6:30 pm
Over the course of five decades-plus, award-winning documentarian and feature filmmaker Emiko Omori has broken through gender and race barriers in film to artfully document a range of subjects spotlighting personal narrative, the Japanese American WWII experience and social justice. We’ll live-stream two of Emiko’s recent films and talk to her about her life and work as a writer, cinematographer, director, and editor. Additional surprise guests may appear as well.
RSVP with “May Movie Night” in the subject line.
You’ll receive Zoom information prior to the event.
Featured films:
- Then Becoming Now (2019, 24 minutes): The journey of three men who went from incarcerated children during WWII to social activists protesting the Trump Administration’s border policy. [Pictured above: Kaz Naganuma, Hiroshi Fukuda, Hiroshi “Shim” Shimizu]
- When Rabbit Left the Moon (2017, 14 minutes): Omori’s lyrical video poem about the lasting devastating effects of the Japanese American concentration camps. Made in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of EO 9066.
Meet Emiko Omori
My favorite Ozu title is “I Was Born But…” I was born but…WWII disrupted my life. I spent my early years in Poston Concentration Camp. Then a truck farm. Then came to SFSU where I studied filmmaking. I began my career as a filmmaker and cinematographer in 1968, when there were few camerawomen and fewer still Asian American camerawomen in the US. My first job was as cinematograher/editor on the KQED-TV program, “Newsroom.” Since 1972 I have freelanced as a cinematographer on many award-winning projects as well as producing my own. In 1991 I wrote and directed the highly acclaimed drama, Hot Summer Winds, based on two short stories by Hisaye Yamamoto, for American Playhouse. In 1999, my documentary/memoir, Rabbit in the Moon, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, was broadcast on POV, and won a National Emmy and numerous other awards. At Sundance I was awarded the Best Documentary Cinematography for Rabbit in the Moon and for Academy Award nominee Regret to Inform. In 2020, I directed and edited Vanishing Chinatown, The World of The May’s Photo Studio. In my sunset years, I continue to make documentaries like Then Becoming Now.
J-Sei Movie Night Bento
A Peruvian inspired meal: Lomo Saltado and Tiradito
For movie night, you can order a specially made obento from My Friend Yuji. This month’s special movie night-themed offering has two items to order:
– Lomo Saltado Bento: Sirloin steak stir-fried in a soy/vinegar sauce with onions, bell peppers, fresh tomatoes, French fries and topped with fresh herbs and rice ($18)
– Tiradito De Pescado: Peruvian sashimi appetizer (hamachi and halibut cured) served with a Leche de Tigre sauce ($12)
Click on the button below to place your order. The price is $18 for the bento and $12 for the sashimi appetizer. Please order early as quantities are limited.
You can pick up your meal at the selected pick up time at J-Sei on Friday, May 14. Please remember to wear a mask and observe social distance protocol. Thank you!
To order: When you click on the button above, it will take you directly to a pop-up order form on the My Friend Yuji webpage, where you first select a pickup time. In the next window, click anywhere inside the box frame to open another pop-up and select the number of bento you want to order, then click on “Add item” to close the pop-up. Click the “View order” bar at the bottom to confirm your order and click “Continue to payment” to sign in and pay for your order.
Support J-Sei At the Movies
Thanks to you, J-Sei At the Movies recently celebrated its third anniversary! We look forward to more creative programming with educational and inspiring Japanese and Japanese American films. We are especially grateful for the up close and personal chats with filmmakers as we learn so much from the exchange.
We love having a growing and enthusiastic audience. You are the best! We welcome any donations to help us offset costs for Movie Night. Thanks for considering this.