Racism and prejudice during and after World War II challenged what it meant to be “American” for Japanese Americans. These two films, a short narrative and a feature-length documentary, examine the question of “loyalty” and “citizenship.”
Inspired by stories from the director’s grandfather, ‘Nisei’ follows the journey of two Japanese American brothers during WWII. Stripped of their citizenship and placed in concentration camps, they volunteer for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team to prove their loyalty to a country that doesn’t want them. With panelist actor Jonathan Tanigaki from Southern California.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
DARREN HARUO RAE, a Japanese American producer/director based in Los Angeles, co-founded the boutique production company Roann Films. Rae's directorial debut, “Park Arcadia,” garnered Best Screenplay at the 2014 International Film Festival Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles. His latest film, “Nisei,” inspired by his Japanese American grandfather's WWII experiences in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, earned Best Drama and Audience Choice at the 2023 Poppy Jasper Film Festival and continues it’s festival circuit, screening at Indy Shorts by Heartland Film, LA Shorts International Film Festival, HollyShorts Film Festival, and Cinequest Film Festival.
Currently, Rae is the series producer for the MasterClass G.O.A.T. Original Series and is producing the feature film “Surrender,” starring Andrea Bang. “Surrender” was selected as one of Film Independent's Fast Track fellowship program's top 10 narrative fiction features and is slated for production in 2023.
ABOUT THE PANELIST(S)
JONATHAN TANIGAKI is a Japanese-Taiwanese-American actor hailing from New Jersey who graduated in 2017 from American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. One of the significant highlights of his career is his guest appearance on the hit series “NCIS: Hawaii.” He continued to appear in numerous projects, including feature films to be released in 2023 and 2024: “The Afterworld Game,” “Camera,” “Deadly Dilf” and “Transfer.” Also, he can be seen in the Japanese documentary film “8:15,” which takes the viewer on an eye-opening journey through the survivors of the atomic bomb attack in Hiroshima. Tanigaki’s versatility extends to voice acting, where his talent can be heard in popular shows like Netflix’s “Money Heist,” “Single’s Inferno” and “Alchemy of Soul.” Apart from his acting endeavors, Tanigaki is also well-versed in various forms of dance, including ballet, tap, and jazz, martial arts, adding a dynamic element to his artistic repertoire.
- Year2023
- Runtime21 minutes
- DirectorDarren Haruo Rae
Racism and prejudice during and after World War II challenged what it meant to be “American” for Japanese Americans. These two films, a short narrative and a feature-length documentary, examine the question of “loyalty” and “citizenship.”
Inspired by stories from the director’s grandfather, ‘Nisei’ follows the journey of two Japanese American brothers during WWII. Stripped of their citizenship and placed in concentration camps, they volunteer for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team to prove their loyalty to a country that doesn’t want them. With panelist actor Jonathan Tanigaki from Southern California.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
DARREN HARUO RAE, a Japanese American producer/director based in Los Angeles, co-founded the boutique production company Roann Films. Rae's directorial debut, “Park Arcadia,” garnered Best Screenplay at the 2014 International Film Festival Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles. His latest film, “Nisei,” inspired by his Japanese American grandfather's WWII experiences in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, earned Best Drama and Audience Choice at the 2023 Poppy Jasper Film Festival and continues it’s festival circuit, screening at Indy Shorts by Heartland Film, LA Shorts International Film Festival, HollyShorts Film Festival, and Cinequest Film Festival.
Currently, Rae is the series producer for the MasterClass G.O.A.T. Original Series and is producing the feature film “Surrender,” starring Andrea Bang. “Surrender” was selected as one of Film Independent's Fast Track fellowship program's top 10 narrative fiction features and is slated for production in 2023.
ABOUT THE PANELIST(S)
JONATHAN TANIGAKI is a Japanese-Taiwanese-American actor hailing from New Jersey who graduated in 2017 from American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. One of the significant highlights of his career is his guest appearance on the hit series “NCIS: Hawaii.” He continued to appear in numerous projects, including feature films to be released in 2023 and 2024: “The Afterworld Game,” “Camera,” “Deadly Dilf” and “Transfer.” Also, he can be seen in the Japanese documentary film “8:15,” which takes the viewer on an eye-opening journey through the survivors of the atomic bomb attack in Hiroshima. Tanigaki’s versatility extends to voice acting, where his talent can be heard in popular shows like Netflix’s “Money Heist,” “Single’s Inferno” and “Alchemy of Soul.” Apart from his acting endeavors, Tanigaki is also well-versed in various forms of dance, including ballet, tap, and jazz, martial arts, adding a dynamic element to his artistic repertoire.
- Year2023
- Runtime21 minutes
- DirectorDarren Haruo Rae