AINU PURI

Shige, an indigenous Ainu person from Shiranuka, Hokkaido, goes Marek fishing with his 10-year-old son Motoki. After praying to the gods dwelling in all things, he skillfully catches a large salmon, which he then prepares for that evening’s meal. Shige is cultivating his own ways to maintain his Ainu identity and culture for the next generations as he faces continued resistance and Indigenous repression from the Japanese government. AINU PURI explores one family’s endeavor to live as Ainu in today’s Japan.