The current disaster in Haiti has brought to mind many questions: What happens to a culture when its members suffer a collective event? How does the present remind us of the past in times of trauma and emergency? Can we ever "heal" deep psychological wounds?
This past Sunday, I headed over to Busboys & Poets in DC to watch a screening of The Cats of Mirikitani, a free event sponsored by PATA. The film tells the story of eighty-year-old Jimmy Mirikitani, an endearing street artist who once lived in a Japanese internment camp during WWII, and who lost most of his family to the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. While Jimmy is making art on the streets, Producer/Director Linda Hattendorf stops by and begins talking to Jimmy and learning about his story and his intriguing art. With her camera in hand, she documents their incredible journey together that is filled with emotion--laughter, anger, fear, and connection. During the filming, they suffer and confront 9/11 together, and they begin to unravel Jimmy's painful past that is embedded in his art.
The Cats of Mirikitani is a beautiful and intimate portrayal of how trauma affects the psyche and how friendship, creativity, respect, and empowerment have the ability to lift up those that have suffered enormous losses.
The film is being screened again this Sunday and next Sunday, sponsored by PATA. The event is FREE and open to the public--bring friends and family! In light of the tragedy in Haiti, this film offers an important and evocative look at trauma, and how we can band together to support each other in times of need and disaster. Details about the screenings are below.
The Cats of Mirikitani - @ Busboys & Poets (http://www.busboysandpoets.com/)
8 - 10pm
Sunday, January 17th @ 5th & K Streets NW – Washington, DC
Sunday, January 24th @ Shirlington, Virginia
Please RSVP to:
Elva Anderson, Programming Chair
elvaanderson@hotmail.com
The Cats of Mirikitani is a beautiful and intimate portrayal of how trauma affects the psyche and how friendship, creativity, respect, and empowerment have the ability to lift up those that have suffered enormous losses.
The film is being screened again this Sunday and next Sunday, sponsored by PATA. The event is FREE and open to the public--bring friends and family! In light of the tragedy in Haiti, this film offers an important and evocative look at trauma, and how we can band together to support each other in times of need and disaster. Details about the screenings are below.
The Cats of Mirikitani - @ Busboys & Poets (http://www.busboysandpoets.com/)
8 - 10pm
Sunday, January 17th @ 5th & K Streets NW – Washington, DC
Sunday, January 24th @ Shirlington, Virginia
Please RSVP to:
Elva Anderson, Programming Chair
elvaanderson@hotmail.com
