The Cats of Mirikitani
We only managed to see one film at the spring version of HIFF -- but it was quite a film, a documentary entitled "The Cats of Mirikitani"
A very heart warming and thought provoking film about a homeless 85-year old Japanese American artist living on the streets of NYC, how his outlook on life was affected profoundly by his internment during WW2 and the A-bombing of Hiroshima, how a film producer took him in after the WTC collapse on 9/11 -- and how his life came full circle and he found answers to many of the issues that haunted him all his life.
"Make art not war", such a simple statement that resonates throughout the film. We get to see how art becomes a vehicle to transmit the past, how it mirrors the present, and how it sustained him while living on the streets for over 15 years
Profoundly moving, it brings forth how the wounds of war stay with those affected outliving the conflict ... and really how one man can be so principled and maintain his integrity against injustice, even if it means he doesn't get the social assistance that he would otherwise be entitled to.
The show will air tonight twice, late 10:30PM and 12:30AM ... what is it about PBS here, and showing stuff at obnox times of the evening, when us pretty much oldfuts want to sleep
Official film website linked here, for further info
Update:
If you missed the showings, and who didn't? ... The DVD is on sale for release later this year, and pre-orders and a good overview can be found here