Independent Lens . THE CATS OF MIRIKITANI . Talkback

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Selected submissions will be posted here regularly, so visit again to read more comments.

Read an update on Jimmy Mirikitani on The Film page. Visit the filmmaker's Web site for contact information for Jimmy Mirikitani and news about the availability of his artwork.

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5/12/07
A. J. Sykes

The film is a wonderful gift! Thank-you, Jimmy and Linda (and Independent Lens). I had heard about the film, was elated and surprised to find it by chance on tv. Now I'm urging friends and family to watch. As you can probably tell, I found it extremely inspirational.

5/12/07
Keith Starke
Atlantic Beach, New York

I was so deeply touched by the beauty of Mr. Mirikitani's works of art, and the equally emotional link between he and Ms. Hattendorf. In a world so seemingly void of humanity- this relationship and the efforts of Ms. Hattendorf revive the belief in compassion, caring, and love for one another. Bravo! to this fine filmmaker, and continued happiness in your emotional journey Mr. Mirikitani-you indeed are a master of your craft.

Most sincerely touched,

5/12/07
Maureen Biagi
New York, NY

A million kudos to Linda Hattendorf, who showed not only interest in a story, but great kindness and, through her kindness, changed Mr. Mirikitani's entire outlook on life and, indeed, his entire life. The story and the way it was told is so profoundly simple but contains a universe of human drama and transcendence. Mr. Mirikitani is a remarkable man, a remarkable artist and teacher, and a remarkable survivor and human being. Thank you, PBS, for bringing this wonderful film to us. Thank you, Mr. Mirikitani, for holding on long enough for us to see you and to try to make amends and appreciate you. And thank you, Ms. Hattendorf, for seeing and for acting on your wonderful intuition. P.S. I love the cats, too!

5/12/07
Houston, Texas

I want to thank Jimmy and Linda for sharing this story with us all. I felt very touched by his humbleness, courage and sincerity. This is a very inspiring story to connect with all those memories, and walk thru the tragedy and find that healing. Jimmy was so courageous and a blessing he allowed us to experience this with him. The world is a better place knowing him and this reality and that we can overcome and not try to cover up and forget. When Linda read the letter he wrote to the government, I thought - how incredible he could express how important life and art was to him and understand the depth of himself and his purpose and besides such a handsome man. It seems he came into this life knowing Art was his way back to God and I am sure that is what has kept him alive thru it all. I respect him for it. Hopefully, this will be shown again on PBS sometime soon. I would love to see his art and I love cats. It would be wonderful for someone to sponsor him to bring his art to Houston. I think the Asian community would have a blast and so would we!

5/12/07
Craig Flagg
River Forest, IL

This program is why I watch public tele. what an amazing story, , I loved it, I hope we have more updates about Jimmy...Way to go Linda, thanks for this introduction to a real American, Jimmmy Mirikitani....

5/12/07
Beverly, an artist

Linda Hattendorf, thank you for discovering and protecting an international treasure. His dogged devotion to the creative process reawakened and healed my too-often easily-bruised creative spirit. A highly motivating and moving film.

5/12/07
Antonia Santangelo
Brooklyn, NY

This film proves that there are individuals among us that truly know the meaning of compassion. We are all one. I was so inspired by Linda's dedication to Jimmy and by Jimmy's pure devotion to art. I encourage everyone with a heavy heart and anxious mind to view this film.

5/12/07
Lisa
Manorville New York

I was so touched by this remarkable duo, what an amazing story. I woke up this morning thinking about the film I watched on PBS last night and I think that it will always be with me. I would love to purchase one of Jimmy's paintings!

5/12/07
Richmond Hill, New York

I was so moved by this documentary of Mr.Mirikitani.I was tearing-up most parts of the film while watching it.Probably because I could empathized with the experiences that he went through in his life. I also noticed while he was in the streets he has a gloomy aura--he seems angry at life but when Linda took him in and eventually was given a free housing--there was LIFE in him.And you could actually see the changes in his vibe.And I think Linda was such an angel for doing this for a human being who has so much potential.
Keep up the good work Linda.Bless your heart.God bless you both.

5/12/07
Anthony Martin Dambrosi
NY

This was the best Independent Lens I've ever viewed and the score was great as well. Joel Goodman any relation to the late great Steve Goodman?
Watching as this man found out in 2001 that he was in fact exonerated in 1959 from being forced to renounce his citizenship while being held in one of our shamefull concentrationcamps during WW2 brought me to tears. I can't imagine living through what he did and not being bitter. Yet as events unfolded he seemed to actually lift as he found his sister after 50 years! Found out he was still a citizen and found he was eligible for SSI as well as a place of his own. Add the very real 9/11 events and you can feel as well as see his motto of make Art Not War is not just an affirmation but a way of life and his trip back to the Camp was full circle and I could feel his release from the ghosts he carried with him all those years. I had a similar experience at the Wall aka the Vietnam War Memorial. I hope he got to visit his sister. Did I mention that his art is great! Linda did a great thing and it was a win/win for everyone concerned including me as my life has been enriched by this film. My only regret is that we are as a nation echoing if not harmonizing with the forces of bigotry and racism as we allow torture, suspension of Habeus Corpus, and last but not least Gitmo to continue operating. I've made a commitment since I've returned from War to pick up a guitar or a brush instead of a gun.

5/12/07
Barbara Cottone
Pittsford N.Y.

I think.....you edited this terrific documentary before giving it to PBS. I saw it at our film festival (and talked to the director; she said you would present it in edited form on public TV.) The original running time is 74 min. How can you tamper with a work of art? The totality of the film was the director's vision, and it is That Film, not your version, that won best documentary at Tribeca. I'd have more to say about your hubris, but I have to go to Paris and touch up the smile on the Mona Lisa.

5/12/07

What a moving Independent Lens. I could not take my eyes off the tv screen. Jimmy Mirikitani is truly a national wonder. Thank you for bring his story to life.

5/12/07
E. Belvin Williams, Ph.D.
Montclair, NJ

This is an excellent film. Linda H. is to be congratulated and praised for her humanity, sensitivity and graqciousness. I am grateful that she shared this with us. For some of us, the story is very poignant, filled with memories and sadness. However, it is a wonderful recording of real human events.

5/12/07
marie brossard
nyc

This was one of the best shows i have seen. Linda Hattendorf is a true humanitarian and in my opinion deserves an award not only for saving a life, but for her true wonderous nature as a compassionate woman and example to us all. What a wonder!!!! A saint in my opinion, as are all the hard working social service people who heard her and understood the imperitive to rescue a soul. Brava!!!

5/12/07
Linda Yuen
Lanikai, Hawaii

My son, Chuck,sent me an email about this upcoming Independent Lens show. What he said was compelling enough for me to copy and send his message out to as many of my friends as I could. I have been getting responses from some on them: ALL of them very,very moved by the excellence of the filmmaking and the compassionate message. One said "it has the power to change your life", and that is a wonderful thought to hold on to. Another friend and I had a long discussion about the absolute authenticity of this film, and the many,many sensitive levels of sharing (of anger,respect,dignity, strength, survival mechanisms, willingness to help, patience,Love, kindness and compassion). My friend is an M.D. who served with the Atom Bomb Casualty Commission in Hiroshima. And in my Kauai (island) family, I have one brother who had just graduated from U.S.C. when WWII started, and he and his pregnant wife were sent to an internment camp where they were housed in horse race stalls in Santa Anita, and where their first child was born. Just unlucky to have gone to a Univ. in California. Two other brothers joined the 442 and 100 Battalions and fought in Europe. Before the war was over, my father died of cancer, they said, but I always believed he died of heartbreak. Thanks, thanks, thanks, to Linda for facilitating Jimmy in finally getting his story told. Such honest sharing of feelings helps others besides Jimmy to let go of some of the long repressed anger at the prejudice and gross injustice inflicted en masse. I can share Jimmy's feelings about gaining some peace in knowing that someone was listening to him.

5/12/07
Houston, Texas

I was very touched and humbled by this film, in particular by Mr. Mirikitani's dignity, and Ms. Hattendorf's generousity. My tears began with the memories sparked by the images of the World Trade Center, but continued throughout the film as Mr. Mirikitani's personal hardships, and Ms. Hattendorf's discoveries of his life and family were revealed. I was unaware prior to watching this film that Japanese-Americans were forced to renounce their citizenship during WWII, and this is a part of our history we should all keep in mind in this post-9/11 world.

Like others here, I would love to own a piece of Mr. Miriktani's art, not only because it is lovely, but as a reminder of the the wondrous and beautiful moments in the film. Please provide information on how to accomplish that.

5/12/07

I am haunted by the program "The Cats of Mirikitani" The beauty on so many levels was extremely moving. The humanity of Linda taking in this man, into her home, and telling his story. I work in a k-8 school. Our middle school social studies teacher and I collaborate in combining art and social studies. I conveyed as much of this story as I could. My words cannot do it justice. I want to order the DVD to show middle school students. We are always looking for ways to bring about caring,compassionate, young, people.I think this is powerful enough to touch their hearts. Thank you so much!

5/12/07
Liza Romero
Chandler, Arizona

Thank you for the Cats of Mirikitani! I was so moved and I had such a feeling of enlighment! If only world goverments will see the bigger picture, the different cultures of the world is what makes us each unique and special. It is not possible to individualized a race for the actions of few bad men/women. As Jimmy has thought us we can learn so much history from each other. We all have a story to tell; I believe Jimmy to be good man and this is why his life was bound to change for the better. People like Linda and the crew members became his angels. I only hope my action as young woman would bring me such joy in my old age. All of our actions today will have a consequence in the future.

5/12/07
David Deblinger
Brooklyn NY

I saw Cats of Mirikitani twice in the theaters and some on PBS and I think it is one of the most beautiful documentaries I have ever seen

5/12/07
DAVID B. GARGIULO
NYNY

I loved the Cats of Mirakatani. It's made me cry and realize what a long strange trip life can be. I love Jimmy. I just love that old guy. I learned so much from him. Mostly to never give up being an artist and believing in love and Peace and friendship. I see the Internment Camps were far worse than we've been led to believe. I also believe in ghosts now. Because Jimmy says "Ghost People very kind to me." If Jimmy says there were ghosts there were ghosts. "If you have ghosts you have everything." I love his art. I'm so glad that whoever helped him did so. I'm relieved mightily he has a roof over his head. I live in NY and I now want to find him and say hello and see if I can help in any way. I'm a 57 year old Rock and Roll Hippy who stills writes and plays rock and roll. This guy is the spirit of what Rock is all about. Please don't lose track of this man. He's a very important artist. Let me know if there's anything I can do for him.] He's made me also realize that WW2 is in my soul and I wasn't even born. Damn Stupid American Government. More power to you and Jimmy

5/12/07
Frank Luke
Hon, HI

I wonder if you're aware that "Mirikitani's Cats" broadcast here in HI and Independent Lens was/is sponsored by the Mirikitani Foundation? Coincidence or what? I was very taken with the quality of the film, very well done how the attractive film maker wove 911, the Japanese internment, WW2, homelessness and Mirikitani's story so well. I enjoy your shows, on the whole, few other places on the tube to see these stories. Best wishes and aloha to all concerned, FL.

5/12/07
Tom Caltagirone
Bayonne, NJ

This show was amazing! All of the drama and love that has formed civilization is contained in this story. Jimmy's life is inspiring and the help he received is as well a powerful tonic for our times. The art of this film and Jimmy's art are both truths that have been beautifully immortalized.

5/12/07
Antioch, IL

Linda Hattendorf's documentary was the most amazing and generous gift to this viewer. Watching Jimmy, a homeless man, as his life was revealed and changing before my eyes-thanks to the kindness and generosity of Ms Hattendorf, was an awesome experience. Thank you Linda, for sharing this beautiful story of one dear soul helping another to achieve some sense of pride and peace. Wonderful job!

5/12/07
rosemarie calista
Poughkeepsie, NY

As an Italian-American I was shocked to learn of the internment of Italian-Americans as enemy aliens in WWII. A traveling exhibit was put together in California and a book of essays was compiled by Lawrence DiStasi, "Una Storia Segreta"--the secret story. The numbers were not as large as the Japanese-Americans, but the pain endured was comparable. Internees who died during the period were buried in unmarked graves. History is indeed repeating itself. Jimmy Mirikitani is a remarkable man. As a student of Japanese language I enjoyed "meeting" him and wish to thank Linda Hattendorf for her unselfish act and kindness to this very wonderful person. Thanks for telling his story. I had a friend who was in a similar situation and helped him out for 20 years until his death four years ago. This film reminded me of him and brought back many happy memories. Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu, many thanks Linda. I want to see more when he returns to Hiroshima and goes to Miyajima. A beautiful place.

5/12/07
John
Hartford CT

One of the most moving docs I have ever seen!!

5/12/07
Bernice Greenberg
Teaneck, New Jersey

As a senior citizen (there should be a more euphonious word for this stage of life) and an artist, I applaud this beautiful documentary. Jimmy Mirikitani's art expresses life's sorrows and wonder. He combines Japanese tradition with American feelings.