A Song for Manzanar
2015
Writer: Josh Garvin, Zach Mehrbach and Phil Emerson
Director:  Kazuko Golden and Phil Emerson
Producer: Kazuko Golden
Run Time: 18 minutes

Based on a true story, A Song for Manzanar is a short narrative about two Japanese sisters, one interned in Manzanar and one living in Hiroshima, fighting to communicate via letter at the end of World War II in 1945. Through the bond formed through their letters and “The Crow”, a Japanese folk song from their youth, they hold out hope that they will one day be reunited.

This was the second opportunity Josh had to write a script for someone else’s story. A Song for Manzanar has been very successful since finishing production. It was the 2013 recipient of a Weisman award from Columbia College Chicago and made its premiere on the Santa Monica, CA Promenade. It has since gone on to be shown in 10 film festivals to date, including (but not limited to) the 2015 River Bend Film Festival, The Rhode Island International Film Festival, the Asian American International Film Festival, Palm Beach International Film Festival, Asians on Film, Albuquerque Film & Music Experience, The Cannes Court Métrage, The Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival and WAMMFest.

A Song for Manzanar’s Facebook page has more information about the film, the crew, and its progress as it makes its way through the festival circuit. A trailer for the film is available here.