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VC Classics

We present these films produced by Visual Communications as a reflection of our American histories and experiences. From jazz fusion and marching bands, to hula and kite making, these stories reflect our contributions to American cultures. Click here to learn more about our VC Archives, one of the largest photographic and moving image archives on Asian Pacific experiences in America.

This black-and-white documentary weaves scenes of Japanese American poet and professor Lawson Inada’s life with his writing. Titled after one of his poems, ...I TOLD YOU SO follows Inada to Fresno, California for a childhood reunion. Shots of his multicultural childhood neighborhood show downtown graffiti, bars, and the Nisei Barber Shop. Inada runs into his aunt, one of the subjects of his poems where she asks, “All this identity thing. What is it you’re looking for?” Inada’s answer is in his poem, “Nightsongs in Asian America," that addresses the active residence to World War II incarceration and his relationship with his son.

  • Year
    1974
  • Runtime
    18 minutes
  • Language
    English
  • Country
    United States
  • Director
    Alan Kondo
  • Executive Producer
    Visual Communications
  • Music
    June & Dan Kuramoto