Educational Media Reviews Online

Three film directors tell the stories of their mothers—Japanese war brides after World War II. Black and white footage, both during the war and postwar, enhance the modern-day shots of the mothers in their homes talking to the camera. The stories they tell are fascinating: how they met the men they married, the jobs they had in Japan, the reactions of their families, and their lives as young brides in America.

The women, at 81, 84, and 85 years of age, project honesty and forthrightness about their experiences, expressing both the positive and the negative. Their daughters appear with them in some scenes as they converse, asking them leading questions.

Not much is known about the tens of thousands of Japanese women who migrated as brides to the United States in the 1950s. For a while, there were so many that schools for Japanese brides were established where they could learn American customs. Historical information is provided in between the interviews with the mothers and daughters, all seamlessly edited.

All three directors have experience as journalists, either broadcast or print, and it is reflected in the high quality production values and the storytelling in the film. College classes in world history or women’s studies would be prime audiences for this documentary. Public libraries could also acquire it for their adult patrons who may be interested in the subject matter. For those who like neatly tied-up endings in their movies, the end credits tell where each mother and daughter live and what they are currently doing. A beautifully-made film with historical significance and modern relevance.