About the Film

Schedule

7 pm | Short film screenings
9 pm | Q&A with Ema Ryan Yamazaki, director of Monk by Blood

Short Films

Confession Ranking of Girlfriend
Director Shinichiro Ueda, 2014, 19 minutes
Japanese with English subtitles

A man proposes to a woman. Rather than responding yes or no, the woman reveals 17 secrets about her personality. Will the man’s proposal hold after these revelations?

Tadaima
Director Robin Takao D’Oench, 2014, 15 minutes
Japanese with English subtitles

A Japanese American family returns home from an internment camp at the end of WWII. Their home has been ransacked and is in disarray. Although each family member has different feelings about returning home, they all try to find the strength to rebuild their life amidst the emotional and physical destruction caused by the war. Robin Takao D’Oench’s directorial debut honors the legacy of the late Paul Takagi, a 92-year old former internee, WWII veteran, and the director’s grandfather.

Reflection
Director Hazuki Aikawa, 2014, 23 minutes
English

Tara, a young single mother, struggles to understand and come to terms with her son’s gender identity. Reflection tells the story of this woman and her enduring influence on her child’s life. It provides a poignant view into what it means to parent an LGBTQ+ youth.

Tsuyako
Director Mitsuyo Miyazaki, 2011, 25 minutes
Japanese with English subtitles

During post-war Japan, Tsuyako lives a demanding life as a mill factory worker, obedient wife, and loving mother. When an old female lover, Yoshie, pays a surprise visit, Tsuyako finds herself entranced by the dream of a different life.

Monk by Blood
Director Ema Ryan Yamazaki, 2013, 25 minutes
English and Japanese with English subtitles

As a first-born son, 21-year-old Scion Sasaki is destined to take over his family’s Buddhist temple, which is 800 years old and has been managed by 23 generations of Scion’s family in Kyoto. Born in California, Scion returned to Japan at the age of 9 and was raised to understand his ultimate duty. Meanwhile, he juggles multiple worlds as a monk, DJ, and aspiring chef.

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