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Tell us what you think >>
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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Ki Suk Hahn
Wheaton IL
I saw this film this evening and it made the internment chapter of U.S. history more real
to me. As for a repeat of this, I don't think it will happen. America has learned its
lesson and the overall policies are more sensitive to the allegiance that immigrants
pledge to this country. It's up to the people close to the situation to keep the enforcers
of the law (police, TSA agents, etc) from overstepping their positions.
5/10/07
S. Hawkins
BG, Ohio
This documentary was awsome, unlike anything i have ever seen. It is almost emotionally
cosuming to know that there are so many races that the government once again dominated for
its purposes out of fear.
But as all life, there is survival and what i most appreciate about his history is that
Jimmy's life was able to come to a full circle for self.He finally found peace. The
government took everything from him and he had every right to be angry just as so many
others do. And unless you are a minority in the USA, you have no concept of this magnitude
of trauma.
I could not help thinking that if he were yelling out his story to everyone,everyone would
have thought he was crazy, but he bided his time and his story was not only told but known
and felt by many. This was an enlightening experience.
Thank you Independent Lens, i always enjoy your documentary's.
5/10/07
Catskill, NY, Pa
Jimmy Mirikitani kept saying he was going to be rich. I'd imagine that must be so by now.
I am at a loss for words except to say that I have never been truly inspired until now.
5/10/07
Savanh K.
Willow Grove, Pa
Just could not resist letting you know how moved i am from your kindness. I was just
channel surfing when i saw your documentary and was spellbinded. I was moved by the
kindness you showed to a complete stranger in a time of need. It made me think what i
would have done if i were in your shoes. That's why i am that much more grateful to know
that such a wonderful human being exist in this world. Thank you for opening up my eyes
and showing me good people still exist in this horrid world.
5/10/07
Amy and Jack Stewart
Oklahoma City, OK
My husband and I happened upon this film tonight only by chance. We were flipping channels
and landed on PBS just as this film began. Thank you so much for this beautiful, moving
and transforming piece of art. My heart breaks to learn of the cruelty we inflict upon
others, yet Jimmy shined a ray of hope that warmed my heart. God bless you for bringing
this story to us.
5/10/07
Kelli Davis
Oklahoma City
Jimmy's story is one of healing. He even said, after he re-visited Tule Lake, that he was
no longer mad. He had made peace. I think the most resounding truth of this film, with its
unfolding during the months surrounding September 11, was that history is transcendent,
and sometimes you must return to the past to find peace in the future. Mirikitani is truly
a grand master, and thanks to Linda we can hopefully take his lessons on the art of peace
to heart.
5/10/07
Deb Lumberg
Wisconsin
I was transfixed by this film. It wasn't just about the important issues of homelessness,
aging, war or art. I wasn't transfixed only by the poignant viewpoints of trauma, PTSD,
lost past, or history. I was transfixed by the connection between one human to another.
Linda took a chance meeting with a homeless artist, and turned it into a wise selfless
friendship. I work in social services. Daily, I help the seriously and persistently
mentally ill. But one 80 year old man, Jack, who was also a Japenese brush stroke artist,
touched my life as well. I was reminded of the similarities and the humanity, the pain and
sorrow that accompany many traumatized people, and the healing that can happen. How
wonderful could this world be if more people were like Linda? What would happen if more
people showed compassion, a sense of community, and just asked questions to older adults?
Thank you, Linda. Thank you.
5/10/07
Wendy Hermance
Mt. Pleasant, SC
This film will be a Christmas present to my 15-year old daughter. My card will read, "My
gift to you is Compassion."
If only we could all play such a part in another's life. I cried because I have not made
such contributions. How inspiring this film and these two lives!
5/10/07
Collin Augustine
Marietta, Ga
As a 42 year old military soldier it was an honor to watch Jimmy make art speak for peace
and friendship. During the show i heard Jimmy say " I will tell everyone, and now evryone
will know". As i watched the show with my wife she never knew there were camps such as
Tule Lake in America. It felt real good to see Jimmy's friendship with Linda unfold and
grow. Hats off to you Linda, you are truly an angel. Jimmy! I liked when you spoke to your
sister and what you said to her, "Live a good long life". I say this to all my family even
to this day. I say to you Jimmy, God Bless You and I hope and pray you live a long life.
Take Care and God Bless..........
5/10/07
Russs Hart
Marietta, Ga
thank you for this production. she provide me something that was most impressive. she was
very bold to have brought him in. i hope the best comes to both. why is his art not
available and for sale. thanks again.
5/10/07
-Sheng Lin
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Mirikitani's birthday party brought me to tears with the apprearance of the doorman and
his family. The human touch of that scene is so powerful I could hold my tears back!
5/10/07
Darlene Brooks
Stapleton, Georgia
I saw this story tonight 5-8-2007. What a beautiful story. Jimmy Mirikitan, a
compansionate person despite the hardships. His art work is so inspiring to us all even
the young generation. Stories like this are what we all need to learn from. You are our
inspiration. Thank You! Darlene Brooks,
5/10/07
Chicago, Il
thank you for this beautiful film.
5/10/07
Tom Molone
The film was exquisite with all of the pictures and cuts to related historical
information. It was wonderful to see Mr. Mirikitani progress and bloom after being home
less on the streets. Equally Linda Hattendorf truly gave of herself to make this come
together. This is one of the most spiritually uplifting films of the decade - a testament
to kindness and compassion. The world would be a different place if we all had the courage
to follow this path. There will always be a rest haven in my heart for Ms. Hattendorf.
5/10/07
JM Cowden
Penetrating and layered, this movie connects shameful past to shameful present in American
history, while vititing the redemption of a man through his art. A must see.
5/10/07
John Lord
Jacksonville, FL
Copied from an e-mail I sent to catsofmirikitani.com: Linda Hattendorf has just become one
of my new heroes as I have just now watched the film (PBS Indepenent Lens). It is, by far,
one of the most moving and important films I have seen, ever. My compliments (if that word
could be strong enough) go to all involved in the making of this film, but I want to
especially thank Linda for being able to reach beyond just trying to make a film, to
renewing the very soul of a wonderful human being. As is evident, many other people had
come into contact with Mr. Mirikitani, but only Linda ended up reaching out the helping
hand that changed his life.
Anyone who views this film without at least several moments of choking back tears of joy
and sadness must truly be the living dead. I can't put it any other way. Of course, I can
easily see how Linda was so drawn to this interesting, tortured man, and I'm sure her
relationship with him has added a richness to her life that is immeasurable. This film has
done much the same for me, thank you all so much for making it.
5/10/07
JM Cowden
Oklahoam City, OK
Genetrating and layered, this movie connects shameful past to shameful present in American
history, while vititing the redemption of a man through his art. A must see.
5/10/07
Chicago, Il
A beautiful story of the human spirit!! Mr. Mirikitani is like the many unknowns from the
civil rights era who have done much to raise the country's social conscience. I was
honored to view the documentary! Thank you, Mr. Mirikitani for your spirit, humility, and
wisdom! Linda was a Godsend to not only appreciate Mr. Mirikitani as an artist but more
importantly as a human being. She not only opened up her home...as a single woman at
that...and she didn't stop there!
As an African American male, I had a similar experience at the age of 20, meeting a 71
year old white male at Chicago's O'Hare airport... Jim D., from Pittsburgh. We connected
over music...jazz, specifically. Our friendship lasted for nearly 10 years, until his
death. He introduced me to Benny Goodman...I introduced him to the likes of Take 6 and
Wynton Marsalis. He marveled at how at how a white guy and a black kid could have
developed such a friendship. He and I learned from each other. I later introduced Jim to
my then, 75 year old grandfather. The history...the barriers broken. Life...it's a
beautiful thing.
5/10/07
Anthony Byrd
Atlanta, Georgia
I had the great fortune to stumble across "The Cats of Mirikitani" this evening on PBS. I
can't remember the last time I was touched so by a film. A masterful work. My heartfelt
thanks to the filmaker, the independent lens series, and of course, Jimmy Mirikitani.
It is too trite to once again repeat that 'those who forget the past are doomed to repeat
it', and I don't really think history moves in such predictable patterns anyway. I do
think that the lesson history can teach us, if we choose to be attentive students, is what
it means to be human, along with all the tragedies and triumphs being human entails. So
much history stands out in sharp relief when viewed through the life of Mirikitani, but
what resonates clearest, for me anyway, is the profoundly human aspect of the story. It
serves as a reminder that there is no history abstracted from the lives lived by
individuals and communities, and we must be attentive to those peoples and their lives if
we are to become more fully human.
5/10/07
Gary Brown
Dallas, Texas
Jimmy Mirikitani's story is a tapestry woven of many different threads of awareness,
compassion, truth and redemption. It is too difficult to appropriately seperate them here
for discussion but it will be easy to carry much of this inspirational piece with me and
into my own art and poetry. I would like to share this story with others, as well, but
fear my local Dallas station will not be airing it again. Our loss.
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