A Presence Like Louise Reiss

Director Ito had been on a business trip since last weekend. On the 14th, there was a screening at Hachidori-sha in Hiroshima, followed by a move to Okayama on the 16th for a screening at Life Park Kurashiki. This coming weekend, on Saturday the 22nd, the director will travel to Tokyo for a screening event in Oiso, Kanagawa.

A true traveling filmmaker. We are grateful for all the opportunities to share stories in various places!

At the Hiroshima screening, we had a rare three-shot moment with Shiho, a team member who had just returned from the U.S., and Murata, who spends half of his time in Hiroshima. In between, Murata pressed the director for a final proofread, making him look like an elementary school student struggling with summer homework… (laughs). Only two months left until the new book is released!

The screening and talk show at Hachidori-sha were truly wonderful. The guest speaker was Mayu Seto, who provided the ending song for Silent Fallout. Wishing her the best in her final stretch of work!

One of the audience members gave an incredible comment:
"The director, who has unearthed the presence of Louise Rice from history where she had been forgotten, is herself like Louise Reiss."

That really resonated… The director has always been chasing “buried truths.” The people who fought, who raised their voices, and those who became victims—once you learn about them, you can’t just look away.

Somehow, we have to tell their stories. We have to leave them for the future. We must not let their struggles be in vain. That is the essence of the director’s mission.

Shiho, who has been tirelessly working to promote independent screenings in the U.S., had many realizations after participating in the screenings in Japan.

In Japan, those who watch the film are quick to organize their own independent screenings. However, in the U.S., such grassroots screening movements have been slow to take off.

Shiho analyzed that this may be largely influenced by differences in social values between Japan and the U.S.

In Japan, filmmakers and project members actively participate in screenings, creating opportunities for direct dialogue with the audience. This transforms screenings from mere "film viewings" into "spaces for discussion," deepening the connections between the audience and organizers.

On the other hand, in the U.S., apart from official tours, directors rarely get directly involved, and post-screening discussions are limited. Even if audiences are interested, few take action, and enthusiasm tends to fade after the event.

Moreover, in Japan, people may not always express their thoughts verbally, but they take action. There is a strong sense of compassion and solidarity, with a tendency to act not for personal gain but for "society" or "future generations." As a result, many people offer to help secure venues and support event operations, making screenings more successful.

While there are cultural differences, there must be a way to effectively spread the film in the U.S. as well.