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Read an update on Jimmy Mirikitani on The Film
page. Visit the filmmaker's Web site for contact information for Jimmy Mirikitani and
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If I ever meet linda Hattendorf I will give her a big hug and kiss, truly a delightful and thought provoking documentarie on artist Jimmy Mirikitany and his life and art. 1- To answer your questions I think all the injustice that come mainly from plain evil, cowardice as well as ignorance and fear can best be prevented by courageus people like linda Hattendorf sheding a spotlight that bring about documentaries that while works of art to be enjoyed also forces people to confront that which people often chooses to keep in the dark and not to think about, but that must be acknowledge and understood in order to prevent similar situations that lead to human and civil rights violations.
2- Art has been God sent to me, even from the time I was a small child I would amaze people with my talent in Art, then I came to America full of dreams from Bolivia when I was 13 to live with an aunt who had asked for me, I thought she could help me, instead she was extremely physically abusive to me, I was a servant to her family and she behaved with a hatred towards me I never understood. Now even at 43 years old, I am barely now trying to better understand just how inmensely the damaging efects of verbal and physical abuse this woman caused in my life. Even though from the time I arrive at her house until a ran away I did not realise that I had not escape the effects of that abuse that for many years after have changed my life. I ended up homeless for many years and gone through many trials. a pastor recently helped me find a place to live of my own here in Svannah GA. very small but is still the only home I've seen in many years. Art has been my refuge from the beginning till present, All through my wonderings to and fro few people have seen my art and their reaction is extremely positive many times telling me they would be rich if they had my talent. However I have never known what to do with my Art other than along my past wonderings give it away along the way, as I do not know what to do with it once I finish, I ju st draw more and continue drawing. I thank God for my Art that has allowed me to want to live and has allowed me to bring small joys to others along the way and has help me search for forgiveness for the hurt done to me. I certainly agree with Jimmy, " make Art not war" motto, yes indeed Art has influenced my life and has been a life saver. but also left me with what ifs.
3-Unfortunately I have not enjoyed a special kind of frienship with noone, as I have mostly kept to myself.
God bless.
06/03/2008
D. Cartmer
Ontario, Canada
Brilliant. I came in part way through it on Independent Lens and have been telling everyone about it ever since.
05/22/2008
Tanumba
Troy, NY
Perhaps Linda is the reincarnation of that little boy who followed Jimmy around at Lake Tule...the ghost boy come back to help Jimmy find the path to wellness. What a wonderful film...missed the beginning but was immediately PULLED into the story. One can always see their culture through the eyes of an outsider and Jimmy was forced into that role by America. And to know he found his sister...what a GREAT story!! Thank you!
05/15/2008
clay binkley
Thank you. Very moving and well done!
05/15/2008
Well done and beautifully told. Mirikatani-san is a great artist and it is a privilege to be able to watch him come to terms with his past and the tragic and bleak circumstances he found himself in so long ago. This is a humbling experience to witness. Thank you for sharing and showing this. I am grateful to have learned from it and inspired to be more than I am as a person and an artist. How many more sad and brutal experiences will people force upon others before they learn that we are all one? The answer is not in revenge or power but in ourselves and to see ourselves in others is the way to peace.
05/15/2008
I find myself deeply disturbed by some of the comments I have been reading in relation to Jimmy's attitude toward his internment and the U.S. government in general. As it may have only been three and half years that he physically spent in illegal detainment, it was emotionally a great deal more. It's not like this was an excuse to get away. He and many others were forced by a supposedly "peoples government" to be rounded up like cattle with no regard for their civil liberties and rights. This should never be forgotten. The danger of this type of thinking is that it can be directed toward anyone. In a way, with the passage of the Patriot Act and other measures to limit our civil rights, it already has. Furthermore my great grandmother's last name was Ulheimer, which is about as German as you can get. Neither she nor any of her family were ever looked on with any kind of suspicion much less forced to live in a camp. Jimmy's anger is quite warranted. This experience has obviously affected the course of his whole life in ways that no one who hasn't been through it can imagine. I wish Jimmy well and am glad I got to experience his story if only just a little
05/15/2008
Wow! This was an amazing & touching indi film! It hit me on so many levels. I had to tell everyone I know about it. Linda & Jimmy give me hope for human goodness.
05/15/2008
I just want to say thank you, to Linda Hattendorf for her kindness, patience and talent. Thank you for sharing your experience with the world, it gives me hope to see that in such a large and unforgiving city there are people who care. Jimmy's story is so moving it was very healing to see a man change so late in his life. Again my deepest thanks for placing a small but very bright light in my life. Peace for All
05/13/2008
Well done and beautifully told. Mirikatani-san is a great artist and it is a privilege to be able to watch him come to terms with his past and the tragic and bleak circumstances he found himself in so long ago. This is a humbling experience to witness. Thank you for sharing and showing this. I am grateful to have learned from it and inspired to be more than I am as a person and an artist. How many more sad and brutal experiences will people force upon others before they learn that we are all one? The answer is not in revenge or power but in ourselves and to see ourselves in others is the way to peace.
05/12/2008
Patrick McCauley
Baltimore
I'd just seen this marvelous film for the third time -- twice in 2007 and tonight's rerun on Maryland Public TV. I believe it should be broadcast as often as feasible, as, hopefully, a lesson for my and all future generations.I am some twenty-five years younger than Mr. Mirikitani, however I clearly identified with him, even as a somewhat ashamed U.S. Army Veteran of Vietnam. Thank you all (especially Ms. Hattendorf) for your kind efforts to produce this film. Ms. Hattendorf'd kindnesses toward Mr. Mirikitani warms my heart every time I think that such beautiful kind souls exist.
05/12/2008
This film is special because of the window it provides into a seemingly simple man's loneliness. What initially seems like an impenetrable barrier is suddenly breached by Linda's willingness to listen, and not force her suggestions like getting social security for Jimmy without his wanting it. A sensitive and touching movie about 2 sensitive, deep souls. A-1 in my book.
05/12/2008
Thanks for an outstanding show on the Japanese artist of New York who was imprisoned during WWII. And special thanks to Linda, the producer, who not only did an outstanding job, but whose kindness touched me deeply. May she forever be protected and successful.
01/15/2008
Enfield, C
Woke up at 3 a.m. and could'nt get to sleep, turned on the TV and saw this film. What a Brilliant work of art and inspiration to all. Makes Television worth watching. Thanks to all involved who made this story possible.
01/15/2008
Enfield, C
Woke up at 3 a.m. and could'nt get to sleep, turned on the TV and saw this film. What a Brilliant work of art and inspiration to all. Makes Television worth watching. Thanks to all involved who made this story possible.
01/08/2008
Nevilla E. Ottley
Such an unbelievably wonderful documentary. They way that Linda Hattendorf would take a bent over old artist, broken and bitter by the injustices of this country in the past--to trust to bring him into her home and life, take care of him, and see him develop at the age of 80-82 from an old man to a man with purpose (teaching art), with hope (having his own home and art studio), with family (reuniting with his absolutely beautiful sister), see him walking straight with comfort in his heart, a smile on his handsome face, and finally coming "home" to Tule Lake where he could put his past to rest.
7/25/07
Michael Healy
Newport Rhode Island
What an absolutely stunning documentary. I was riveted to it. I cried and laughed, there
was such poignancy to this piece. Not only should this win awards,the filmmaker showed
such a Christian/Human side that it was truly moving. It was like watching a miracle
unfold.The most moving piece I have ever watched, can't stop thinking about it. Kudos!!
7/25/07
Maureen H D Dooley
Providence, RI
This is by far one of Independent Lens' masterpieces.**
This talented, intelligent, resourceful and resilient treasure maintained his
determination to live via his art, personal beliefs and fierce determination and the
comfort of his ability to see beyond his surroundings. What good fortune that this
marvelous art instructor and filmmaker found encountered him and were generous in their
largesse, whilst respecting his wishes. I can still recall my own disbelief when I learned
of these internments as a college students; and have been outraged again with each renewal
via article or film ( or legal case ) that I have become aware of. The film maker's
presentation and skill in using select images is masterful. Few have the social
sensitivity or selective intelligent to present the salient, inclusive facts without
sacrificing the artistic visual and narrative jewels.
My unusual frienships were with two older Jewish women (when I was in my twenties) who
explained much about their traditional lives, religion and also their family experience
with the Holocaust. This leads me to question: Why is there not a Nobel Prize for both
fine art, and the composite visual arts...? Perhaps this is another historic omission that
need to be addressed by all of us. Continue to locate such excellent documentaries.
5/31/07
Don Daminger
This is one of the best indenpent films I have ever seen. Linda Hattendorf should get an
award at a film fest. How do we get her nominated. God bless her and Jimmy.
5/29/07
Jon
HI
This was an absolutely great show. I cannot express the feelings I had while watching.
Although my family is mainly in Hawaii, I have heard stories of the terrible conditions in
those camps. Most Japanese- Americans in Hawaii were not required to go to an internment
camp, but a few did. It is amazing to see this man facing the world with only his pride
and talent. I thought his works of art were great. I remembered stories my dad would tell
me of how they were treated during the war. Thank you very much for this great film!!
5/29/07
Jim Stratemeyer
Baltimore
I need someone like Ms. Hattendorf to find me and help me out and have an "Independent
Lens" feature made about my work.
I wish she would have found me in 2001 when I was homeless.
But, what is historically interesting about being just another U.S citizen, over-the-hill,
umemployable, white male artist? Just ain't eccentric enough I guess. I gotta find a
better gimmick.
5/29/07
Maridol Garcia-Joy
Alexandria, VA
Art, as a vehicle to express his emotions saved his soul......
5/24/07
Anna Harrington
Fort Worth, TX
I would like to express my gratitude to all involved in the making of this documentary. I
am a champion of peace and world citizenship. Educational formats, such as these
documentaries, have allowed me to further my internal awareness. I am able to better
understand the plight of humanity and open myself up to improvement and change. Please
know these films are instrumental in experiencing the past in order to prepare for a
better future. Thank you for giving me the tools of understaning, compassion, and the
desire for change.
5/24/07
JWC
NY NY
I was stunned by the story of Mr. Mirikitani! First of all, he looks like a man a take of
every morning who is the same age as he. He too was in the camps. The next morning after
watching, I told him about it, and asked him which camp he had been in - he was in
Arkansas, although he was born and grew up in Fresno. This man had been an actor, and the
first thing you see when you walk into his apartment is a large, large, poster of the
movie he had been in with Gregory Peck.
Watching this film, I suddenly understood him better. I was struck by the fact that the
Internment was the Holocaust for the Japanese, and that like my friends who had had family
in the German camps, they knew little about their lives there. What they dealt with were
the reactions, the coping behavior of those traumatized, without fully understading what
the behavior meant.
Mr. H's family deals with the fallout of his feeling that somehow, and I understood this
better from the film, he was never quite good enough, that no matter
what he did, no matter how hard he tried, he was Japanese, and he had been tainted. When a
group experiences a trauma, there is a lingering sense of shame and humiliation - as
though they had done something wrong, but can't quite figure out what it is, and therefore
can never quite right it.
His favorite word is "dummy". And he says that about himself or anyone else who has
annoyed him. (We have come to an agreement that he can't call me that). His "failure" from
his point of view, of not becoming a great and known actor, is that he was not smart
enough, although his collection of books and artifacts belie that. He also taught at
University. Yet the feeling of inadequacy persisted and, at the age of 88 this year, still
does.
Mr. Mirikitani apparently did not marry or produce children, so his bitterness at his
treatment, that although he was a born American, he was treated like a hated foreigner,
did not spill into and onto another generation. My guess is that the experience, which
separated him from his sister, the only other family he had in the US, left him completely
unattached, unable to recreate a family for himself. He probably never saw his parents
again. To be rounded up and put away, suddenly would be life-affecting. I can imagine that
those Japanese who experienced it could never be sure it would never happen again.
There is more thinking to be done about this story. I am glad it was presented.
5/24/07
Ms. Holly G
A film like this one does not encompass words to match the feelings it gave me. What an
extrodinary story to come from 9/11. It's a miracle. This film can heal anyone's spirit
and I thank you for allowing me to live it also.
5/21/07
PBS Viewer
New Jersey
I absolutely enjoyed this independent lens documentary. I was disappointed to see it end
in an hour. I was hoping to see more details of Jimmy's past and struggles in New York
City. It was definitely inspiring and emotional. I hope you continue to bring forth such
programming and even provide an encore presentation but with the director's cut.
5/21/07
Steve foster
Columbus, Ohio
Incredible story of an incredible person. Thank you for your presentation. His passion for
life, his ancestry, and his life's gift and pursuit of art is very humbling.
5/21/07
Douglas Zook
...an absolutely brilliant film. in a sense, perhaps one of the greatest anti-war films
ever made. poignant and unforgetable. thank you to linda and masa and of course master
artist mirikitani.
5/21/07
Mary Gallagher
Brookline, MA
The Jimmy Miriditani's passion to create art was at the heart of this wonderful film.
Throughout, I was saddened by what seemed a somewhat patronizing way of interacting with
him and his art shown by the various helping professionals Linda contacted. So, I was
thrilled to find out that he has actually received some of the critical attention his art
deserves. I wish something about his exhibitions had been included in the film.
It is not surprising that Jimmy did not "get over it". The internments in the US differ
from those elsewhere because the internees were US citizens, not "foreigners." Until Linda
came into his life, Jimmy thought he had been deprived of his US citizenship, which makes
his resistance to claiming Social Security understandable. I wonder how many of us would
have persevered in the face of such a betrayal by our own government. The return of his
citizenship and reunion with his family is what will allow him to forgive and "move on,"
as his statements toward the end of the film make clear.
5/21/07
Melissa Beaver
Bethany, Oklahoma
The friendship between Jimmy and Linda touched me deeply. Linda's open heart changed the
course of Jimmy's life along with her own. She made many sacrifices and in the end has
educated thousands of people of America's history and the pain that was caused to our
Japanese American country men and women.
Thank you, Linda, for the beautiful gift you have given the world.
Thank you, Jimmy, for your beautiful art and for allowing us to know you and follow you on
your journey back to the internment camp (prison) and your huge heart and forgiveness for
the most painful history you had to endure. You are a beautiful man.
My love to you both. Melissa Beaver along with Oliver and Bunny, my two special furry,
beloved cats.
5/21/07
Barry
Austin TX
An incredible portrait of the power of art and the resilience of the human spirit!
We flipped onto the program, immediately quit whatever we were doing at the time, and
submerged ourselves in Jimmy's story.
For those who would decry Jimmy's anger at the US government "all those years ago" and
suggest that he should get over it and just move on, I would offer that the murder of
Jesus "all those years ago" is even further in the past and therefore at least just as
irrelevant to our future...
5/21/07
Marjorie Murphey-Camacho
Austin, TX
So grateful for public television! Please make this film The Cats of Mirikitani available
for more viewing.
This film illustrates what happens when one truly listens to another with an open mind and
heart: healing of old wounds, thereby being enabled to more healthfully participate in
everyday life. I work with elderly and disabled folks who are all hoping to meet someone
like Linda who pays attention to them! What a difference in this world if we all slowed
down and opened our hearts to those less fortunate than us. My work is devoted to those
like Jimmy, so this film is life affirming for me and all of us "soldiers" of human and
social services....nurses, educators, social workers, caregivers....
Thank you for this film! I have to get a copy to share!
5/17/07
Ken
Austin, Tx
Touching film about a man and his relationship with his art, his past, the woman who
decided to help him off the street, and what to do with the rest of his life. But ask
yourself, did the Japanese inter Americans and Brits who were in Japan? Did the Germans
and Italians give free passage to foreigners, then pass judgement of what the US
government did in the case of internment.
5/17/07
Wesley Patton
Tyler, Texas
Just watched The Cats of Mirikitani this week on PBS. It was very interesting and like
everyone else I felt very sad for this poor old man and happy that someone found him and
took care of him. I'm happy to know that he now has his SS income, a cute apartment of his
own, people to call friends, people to praise his work, and that he will have a full tummy
and be safe off the streets. I'm sorry our country did that to the Japanese people who
were citizens here. I'm glad his final years will be so much better.
That being said, I was really shocked to find out he was complaining about 3 1/2 years of
his life that occurred nearly 60 years ago. I got tired of hearing him put down the U.S.
and say nasty things about our country as if this all happened yesterday. It should have
been time to move on and leave it behind a few decades ago. I know people who went through
the camps like he did and I don't hear the ugly comments like he said. How long do we have
to go beating ourselves on the chest and saying we're sorry? It happened, it was ugly, we
hope it NEVER happens again. But cursing the U.S. after all this time isn't acceptable to
me.
All the people who were in the camps received payments of something like $20,000 each back
in the 80's to help repay them for what they lost. Did Mr. Mirikitani receive his money or
did anyone research if he could get it? I'd like to have heard his answer if they offerred
to send him back to live out his final years in Japan.
5/17/07
Wesley Patton
Tyler, Texas
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5/17/07
Jules
Austin, TX
Wow. Although I confess I am an artist with an occasional tendancy toward self pity, I am
certain I am cured. Thank you Linda, for inviting us into your home along with Jimmy. You
both exemplify the kind of humans I would aspire to be, as well as the kind of artists I
could only hope to emulate. Your works are moving.
5/17/07
June Shimokawa
Honolulu, Hawaii
Since seeing it on Independent Lens last week,this film has been playing over and over in
my mind. More than anything else, I was deeply touched by the friendship between
Mirikitani and Hattendorf. Surely it was her compassion which drew Jimmy out and gave him
the medium to tell his story as he wanted it said. And with that compassion came justice.
Hattendorf connected all the dots - restoring his sense of self, his dignity, access to
social security and a place to live where he could be surrounded with his life work, to
re-connect with his family, find peace with "Tule Lake" ("Not mad anymore; passing through
memory; ghost people very good to me; sleeping better...") - that's a life-restoring,
priceless friendship! Truly a testament to peace-making. A thousand thanks to Linda
Hattendorf and her colleagues. Mahalo nui loa from a most appreciative Nisei (2nd
generation Japanese American).
5/16/07
Norman Mizuno
Haiku, Hawaii
I don' know where to start.....The film was fabalous!......I had wished that I had meet
Mr. Mirikitani when I lived in New York.......My mothers entire family was taken from
Stockton, Ca. and sent to Rohr, Ak......I know very little about it because my mother did
not want to talk much about it.....she was a teacher in the camp and I have since been
able to get a governent photo of her.....3 years ago I found out thru the museum in LA.
that my mother's family was sent to the camp under a name that I had never
known....Namimoto ......I am not very good at computers so I have not been able to get any
more information about my mother or the rest of the relatives that were in the camp.....It
is wonderful that Linda Hattendorf has been so helpful to Jimmy as the impact of the war
was very hard on many people and there families.
I tried to have life in art in New York for 23 years but obviously I was not as dedicated
as Jimmy Mirikitani.......I admire him greatly! for his dedication to art....It is very
difficult to survive in a community like New York with many racial preducies. When I moved
to NY. in 1987 there were many resturants that I was not welcome in........The Village had
very few Asian people....it also made it difficult because I was GAY.
Gay Asian Men were not welcome in White, Black or Hispanic Clubs....and since I had very
little money I couldn't join the Hip Art Groups.Jimmy's motto "make art not war" is
something I also have always wanted as I was a protester of the Vietnam War and refused to
go to it......I also refused to join the ROTC while in school. I wish was a strong in
conviction as Jimmy.....I am happy for him and that his life is better now.
5/16/07
MG WRIGHT
San Diego, CA
I hope Mr. Mirikitani reads the messages posted here. I was perched on the edge of tears
throughout the program. I am an artist, and I have struggled too. I have been homeless at
times, and homeless people are still my friends. Now I am lucky enough to have a nice old
house to live in, but I will never forget what I learned when I was homeless. To see this
GEM of a man, huddled under an old store awning, generating his brilliant pictures
REGARDLESS of whether he has an address or not. That is the power of creativity. In 60
years since the time of the internment camps, and all he has seen and been through, and
the bombing of Japan in World War 2. It makes me ASHAMED to be here in the U.S. to be a
citizen of such ugly evil karma. WE GOT WHAT WAS COMING TO US ON SEPTEMBER 11th!! God was
MERCIFUL ON US, only destroying two big ugly refrigerator-shaped boxes in lower manhattan.
If the terrorists had done 9/11 american-style, they would have sunk the whole island of
manhattan and been PROUD and HAPPY to brag about it. This film of Mr. Mirikitani should be
playing somewhere in the new 9/11 memorial center at all times. HIS STORY IS THE MIRROR
IMAGE OF WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE UNITED STATES.
The way this country wastes talent is a disgrace. The art world is such a pyramid of
snobbery. All these stuck-up people making fools of themselves as they reject the
"UNKNOWNS" and leave them to sleep on sidewalks. We as a culture are the height of crass
commercialism, yet ironically, the people who are the brightest producers of unique
hand-done arts and crafts get tossed in the trash unless they have all sorts of
credentials--university degrees, art contest blue ribbons, tons of big-dollar sales. We
make GARBAGE OUT OF ART AND ART OUT OF GARBAGE, because we have lousy taste and skewed
values. Meanwhile, we go on bombing Iraq, staring numbly at documentaries about Iraqis who
had their limbs blown off. This country better get a CLUE immediately, before something
WORSE than 9/11 hits us. I LOVE stories that MARK THE PASSING OF LONG PERIODS OF TIME. Mr.
Mirikitani has been doing his artwork all his life, since his face was smooth and his hair
jet-black. And 60 YEARS LATER, he FINALLY GETS A BREAK! All it took was one person to
break through all the layers of separation between the classes in order to really SEE the
life-energy vibrating in Mirikitani's work.
And, as he says, all the anger is passing through his memory. Artists should not have to
go through HELL in order to do their work! The ARTS must get more funding and support
services than ever before so that the U.S. can BE as special as most americans THINK we
are!
5/16/07
Anne Lambert
Athens, WV
I began watching this film one evening, thinking it was about cats. I discovered that is
was about an extraordinary man and a devoted journalist, whose determination to better
Jimmy's life exceeded expectations. So often we hear about the negatives of
journalists--in your face, insensitive, by-line oriented, etc. This film gave insight into
how you COULD use the power of the press/camera to make a significant difference in your
subject's reality.
In a National Writing Project summer institute in 2001 at Marshall University in WV, one
of our presenters was connected to the internment camps. She brought with her an awareness
of the indignities and intolerance these camps created. It was beyond comprehension that
AMERICANS would imprison AMERICANS based on their outer appearance or nationality. Pots
calling kettles black seemed the trite comment. I am using this in my Journalism class
this week. We have spent the past few weeks discussing SOCIAL JOURNALISM. I have managed
to find more than adequate print examples of how journalists adopt causes and create
awareness/change. This will give them a chance to see how a film can create
awareness/change. To be honest, it felt so very intimate and "in the moment" that I often
expected to become part of the scene; it felt as if their reality had merged with mine. I
will write back again once my students view this lovely journalistic piece. Thank you for
putting such a piece on your station.
5/16/07
Donald Leonard
Fort Mitchell, Kentucky
Thank you for opening your home to Jimmy. I had a bad feeling when I saw the date on the
screen. Aside from the incredible life he suffered and thirived through, the most
fascinating part was watching the reaction in his eyes as he watched the news reports
about the way Muslims and Middle Eastern descendents were being treated. Again history
repeats itself in two ways. One, how the government ignores the information to save lives,
and Two, that Americans are so quick to persecute and discriminate on an emotional wave.
5/16/07
Maureen
New York, NY
I used to see Jimmy when he was living under the awning of deli near me. I once offered
him money and he refused to take it, and was so offended by my offer that he then wouldn't
allow me to buy a piece of his artwork. I went home and put some of my own art supplies in
a bag and left it beside his shopping cart. I wondered what happened to him after 9/11 and
was very moved to see this film. At first I thought it was my history with Jimmy that got
my attention, but the film is quite remarkable. Linda is to commended not only as a
film-maker telling an incredible story, but also for her compassion in not only rescuing
Jimmy but literally saving his life.
5/16/07
The Cats of Mirikitani is a moving and honest story of the real life experience of an
extraordinary man. What a brave, brilliant person Mr. Mirikitani is. The beautifully
caputured images in his art seem so serene, playful and downright happy; despite the many
reasons one could argue that he has for anger, sadness and bitterness. I was so moved by
the almost immediate flickering of hope this film captured that grew as the friendship &
trust between Linda & Jimmy evolved. Thank you Linda Hattendorf and thank you Jimmy
Mirikitani.
5/16/07
Paul G.& Mildred E. Miller
Ellensburg, Wa.
I caught Jimmy's story about half way through the first time and the next time nearly from
the first part. By the end of his story I found that I loved the person of Jimmy
Mirikitani and his spirit for life. Everyone should be so clean of heart. His art is as
beautiful as his spirit. My wife loved the film also and was very touched by it. Films
like this should be the rule in tv instead of the exception. This type of programming
would benefit young students much more than what they normally watch.
I am a self taught artist and took a few classes. My best original work is done in latch
hook as the finished product. It can be seen at www.angelfire.com/la/latchhook/ if anyone
is interested. I would be honored to have Jimmy see some of my work but his art is superb.
I am 68 years old so I was a youngster during WWII but I do remember those dark years.
Jimmy has added a brightness to those times. Thank you Jimmy and Linda for your work and
lives.
5/16/07
Kevin
Euless, Tx
I've seen a number of the Independent Lens programs and I thoroughly enjoy most of them.
The Cats of Mirikitani is my absolute favorite. This film said so much. So very much
without forcing any kind of statement... political, moral, or whatever. This film just
unfolds into an absolutely wonderful story that is so relaxed and... well... speaks for
itself. I would have to give this one 6 out of 5 stars. A ridiculous rating but this
beautiful documentary just surpassed any expectation that I could have for a film.
5/16/07
Gabriel Francois
Bloomington, Minnesota
Your show was moving and educational exhibit, the true American spirit of kindness
offered by Linda (unconditional love. More so, importantly as learning tool we must
revisit where we have been, and have done as nation. After all what make America a great
country is our constitution. Thank you Linda for helping Jimmy to reach to a closure.
5/16/07
Laurie Hattendorf-Johnson
Cincinnati, OH
Mr. Wheeler wrote on May 14th that he wondered if Linda would have done what she did
had it not been on film. I can honestly say with affirmation, YES. Linda is a kind person
who would have taken Jimmy in after 9/11 regardless of filming him. She has a peaceful
soul and I am honored to be her sister.
5/16/07
Julie
I make it a point to watch Independent Lens every Sunday evening and I am so glad that
I did last night. It moved me to tears to see the compassion in Linda to bring this man
into her home and the peacefulness that shown on Jimmy's face as the bus left Tule Lake.
It was like he was offering forgiveness. If this man, who has been through so much in his
life, can feel peace and forgiveness- we all have so much to learn from him.
5/16/07
Laura Izuno
Novato, CA
My family was very quiet about their time spent at Tule Lake and what took place
during and after internment. Like the stoic Samurai of my heritage, it was best not to
dwell on negatives and not to complain...not even share stories. Having seen this touching
and captivating documentary helped me understand at a very deep level what my Issei
grandfather, my Nissei grandmother and their two sons (my late father Herbert and my uncle
Gene)went through and why I heard so little about the atrocities. Thank you so much for
this very personal story.
5/14/07
Kay
Hawaii
The story of Jimmy Mirikitani was moving. Learned more about historical turns and
twists. Linda was very gentle toward this "lost" Jimmy who was so proud. He did not lose
the deepest human dignities. Quiet, which is not American way, and taking whatever coming
to his way. Thank you Linda and PBS.
5/14/07
DYLAN RIVIS
MONTPELIER VT
I was very moved by Jimmy's story on many levels. I always know when a film maker,
like Linda, has succeeded in touching me when, after the film is over, I 'am' that person
portrayed and, as in this case find myself shuffling around the apartment as Jimmy
did,feeling as if I am in his skin and seeing my own abode as being a creative
environment, representing all of my own colors.
I truly missed seeing more of the reunion with his sister but it was made up by seeing
Jimmy's transformation when he made his prayer and flower offering to his relatives at
Tule Lake.
I am in the process of revisiting much of my own life. There is something to be gotten
by revisiting the places of our past.The places have enormous power over us , almost as
repositories of our memories.
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