A poignant journey Stuart Yamane's "Journey of Honor" shows what can be done to freshen up a much-traveled subject, despite a clear lack of funding and muscle. All it takes is craftsmanship, a clear sense of your limitations and an honest curiosity about the subject.
into a father’s war
A personal "Journey of Honor"
helps the filmmaker and viewers
understand World War II strugglesBy Burl Burlingame
bburlingame@starbulletin.comThe son of a nisei veteran from whom -- it's hinted -- he was somewhat estranged, Yamane straightforwardly expresses his puzzlement when he receives a wooden wine box from his deceased father's estate. It contains medals, fading photographs and mementos from his father's service in the 100th Infantry Battalion.
The story of Japanese-American struggles during World War II have been done to death, and for good reason, given the inherent irony of a racial group locked up on one hand, and becoming heroes on the other. But Yamane takes a rueful, highly personal tack here. He sets out to find out more about his father, and takes us along as he muses and explores. As he learns, so do we, and Yamane makes the journey an adventure in gradual exposition.
Luckily, Yamane went along on a real journey, a visitation to Italy with several nisei veterans, their relatives and television personality, military buff, and tour guide Bob Jones. This footage, much of which was shot by Yamane, forms the meat of the production. Yamane was able to film the sites where his father fought and talked to the vets who knew him and the Italian partisans who were there.
Screens at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in honor of Veteran's Day at the Hawai'i Convention Center. It will also air at 9 p.m. the same day on KHET-TV. "Journey of Honor"
This is fleshed out with archival footage and still images, plus splendid photography by Yamane of the box's contents. The tone of the piece is meditative and quiet, demanding we pay attention, rather than yelling at us the way most of television does.
It also adds to the video literature of the 442nd/100th nisei legend by focusing exclusively on the Hawaii boys who fought both fascism abroad and racial hysteria at home.
"Journey of Honor" trots down that well-worn path of nisei-soldier apotheosis, and ultimately becomes quite moving. It is a Hawaii Public Television production; Yamane is producer and director, plus a half-dozen other job descriptions.
A Hawai'i International Film Festival entry -- the next showing is 2:30 p.m. Veteran's Day, Sunday, at the Hawai'i Convention Center) -- it also will air at 9 p.m. the same day on KHET-TV.
Hawai'i International Film Festival facts
When: Through Sunday on Oahu, the Big Island, Maui and KauaiWhere: Signature Theatres in Dole Cannery and Windward Mall, Waikiki Theatres 1 and 2, The Hawai'i Convention Center and The Academy of Arts Theatre
Tickets: $7 for the general public; $6 for HIFF Ohana members, students, senior citizens, military and PIC (Pacific Islanders in Communications) members. Available at the HIFF Box Office at The Shops at Dole Cannery, by telephone, by fax, via the Internet or in person on the day of the show. Tickets purchased on the day of the show go on sale one hour before the first screening of the day at that site.
Flash passes: Only available to HIFF Ohana Silver and Gold members. To join HIFF, call Trevor Tavares at 528-3456, ext. 16.
Contacts: 528-HIFF (4433); by fax 524-4986; by Internet: www.hiff.org.
Program guides: Available at HIFF's box office, screening sites, and Blockbuster Video and Starbucks Coffee locations.
Neighbor island venues
Kauai: Kauai Community College, Waimea Theatre and the Kilauea TheatreBig Island: (Hilo) Palace Theatre, University of Hawaii-Hilo Campus Center and the Honokaa Peoples Theatre; (Kona) Aloha Theatre, Keauhou Shopping Center's Paniolo Room and Keauhou Cinemas
Maui: Maui Arts & Cultural Center Castle Theatre
Tickets: $6 general and $5 for students, senior citizens, military and PIC members, available at the venues. Tickets go on sale one hour before the first screening of the day.
Call: Kauai 634-6940; Maui 876-0576; East Hawaii (Hilo) 969-9412; West Hawaii (Kona) 322-3362.
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