NOBUKO MIYAMOTO: A SONG IN MOVEMENT

Weaving together interviews, performances, and rare archival footage spanning over 70 years, this documentary follows the life and artistry of Nobuko Miyamoto, a Japanese American multidisciplinary dancer, singer, performer, and community artist. From World War II incarceration to Hollywood screens to an emerging Asian American movement and bringing the arts into community, NOBUKO MIYAMOTO: A SONG IN MOVEMENT is a story of a changing community told through the singular life of one of its most beloved storytellers. HIFF has screened several of director Tad Nakamura''s films, including last year''s BENKYODO: THE LAST MANJU SHOP IN J-TOWN (co-directed with Akira Boch), MELE MURALS (2016), JAKE SHIMABUKURO: LIFE ON FOUR STRINGS (2013), and A SONG FOR OURSELVES (2009), which also features Nobuko but centers on her singing partner, the late Chris Iijima. For this film Tad, co-directs with Quyen Nguyen-Le, crafting a strong documentary that follows the life of 84-year-old artist-activist and her work that changed Asian America forever. SCREENS WITH: BECAUSE OF YOU, I AM DIRECTOR: Doug Menuez This short film takes viewers on an inspiring and intriguing visit with PJ and Roy Hirabayashi, whose lifelong partnership is dedicated to taiko, the Japanese drum. After founding San Jose Taiko 50 years ago, they became innovators by combining Japanese folk taiko with complex polyrhythms from American and other musical influences to form an original Japanese American musical art form. Their style of ensemble taiko has now spread across the US and worldwide. They have been honored by the Smithsonian and NEA, among others. We also learn how PJ and Roy found purpose by using taiko as a platform for Japanese American identity, social change, and community-building.