Educational Media Reviews Online

During World War II, President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which resulted in the forced relocation and incarceration of over 100,000 people of Japanese descent to internment camps, based primarily in the western states. 80 Years Later is a film about a family of survivors of these camps. The film focuses on cousins Robert Shimizu and Kiyo Fujiu and their memories of being in the camp. Robert was a young boy when his father was taken away while he and his brother and mother were sent to a different camp. Kiyo was a teenager, and her memories were much more emotional, as she felt a sense of betrayal by her country. Extended family such as Robert’s daughter and grandson and Kiyo’s daughter, sons and grandchildren are also interviewed about their experience of growing up with Japanese heritage.

Each section of the film is introduced by a series of questions flashed on the screen such as “what traditions are passed down through you,” “what stories are you responsible for,” and “your inheritance is a curse.” The family members then talk about their thoughts on the prompts. Robert’s daughter discusses how she was rejected by her white mother’s sorority and went on to become president of another sorority. Robert talks about how he hated feeling different growing up while his grandson who is ¼ Japanese says he wishes he was more Japanese and that he speaks Japanese while his mother and grandfather do not. Kiyo’s daughter is a social worker who studies trauma and never talked about feelings with her mother who later in the film talks about how hard it was for her to say “I love you” to her children. Kiyo’s grandson joined the military and how important it was to him to show his Asian heritage. The film is about memories, trauma. feelings of assimilation and rejection and what it means to be Asian American in the United States.

This film is recommended for courses in U.S. and World history and sociology. 80 Years Later is not really a history of the Japanese internment but a unique approach to family memory and the legacy of injustice carried out by the United States.

Awards:
Boden International Film Festival, Winner, Best Feature Documentary; New York International Film Awards, Winner, Best Historical Film; DisOrient Film Festival, WeGeneration Award

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