Presented with English

A Song Film by Kishi Bashi: Omoiyari

Wed, April 3, 2024 at 7:00 pm

The City Library

Featuring a Q&A moderated by Artist Foundry Manager, Amanda Madden, and the film's directors, Kishi Bashi and Justin Taylor Smith.

Directed by Justin Taylor Smith, Kaoru Ishibashi

Runtime: 74 MIN

Year: 2022

Country: United States

Language: English, Japanese

Subtitles: English

Violinist and songwriter Kaoru Ishibashi travels on a musical journey to understand WWII era Japanese Incarceration, assimilation, and what it means to be a minority in America today. When a media interview links the muslim ban and the immigration crisis at the USA-Mexico border with the incarceration of Japanese-Americans during WWII, Ishibashi goes on a journey to learn about this history and its relevance. Along the way, he improvises and writes music in an effort to better understand his own identity as a bi-cultural American.

Using never before seen archival footage from the camps, mixed with breathtaking visual storytelling, Kishi Bashi, weaves a story using history, music and current events to create a portrait of America from the perspective of someone caught between two worlds.

Utah Filmmaker Showcase screenings are presented in partnership with: 

Official Selection

2022 SXSW2022 Los Angeles Asian American Film Festival, 2022 MountainFilm, 2022 Disorient Asian American Film Festival, 2023 Woodstock

Awards

Audience Award-2022 Los Angeles Asian American Film FestivalBest Documentary-2022 Disorient Asian American Film Festival

Screening captions: English

ADA accommodations are available. If you have additional needs, please visit our Accessibility page to connect with an ADA coordinator.

Violinist and songwriter Kaoru Ishibashi travels on a musical journey to understand WWII era Japanese Incarceration, assimilation, and what it means to be a minority in America today. When a media interview links the muslim ban and the immigration crisis at the USA-Mexico border with the incarceration of Japanese-Americans during WWII, Ishibashi goes on a journey to learn about this history and its relevance. Along the way, he improvises and writes music in an effort to better understand his own identity as a bi-cultural American.

Using never before seen archival footage from the camps, mixed with breathtaking visual storytelling, Kishi Bashi, weaves a story using history, music and current events to create a portrait of America from the perspective of someone caught between two worlds.