GARDENA — In honor of Sei Fujii’s contributions to the Japanese American community, the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI) is excited to present the award-winning short film “Lil Tokyo Reporter” on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Nisei Veterans Memorial Hall, 1964 W. 162nd St. in Gardena.
This film is inspired by the true story of Fujii, a community leader and a proactive advocate who accomplished so much for the community. He is best known for winning a landmark case to construct and build the Japanese Hospital in Boyle Heights. He subsequently overturned the Alien Land Law in 1952.
The drama, set in 1935 Los Angeles, traces Fujii’s journey as the founder of the Kashu Mainichinewspaper and his fight against corruption and injustice during the Great Depression. Starring Academy Award winner Chris Tashima, it has won over 20 awards nationally and been screened internationally at the Sukagawa Film Festival in Fukushima, Japan and the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Korea.
Present at the screening will be Tashima, executive producer Fumiko Carole Fujita, and director Jeffrey Gee Chin. There will be a Q&A as well as a brief reading from an exclusive upcoming biography of Fujii. Additionally, there will be an introduction to shigin (Japanese performance poetry) and performance by Patrick Seki.
“Lil Tokyo Reporter” DVDs and merchandise will be available for sale and donations will be accepted for the book, which will be released in 2016.
Admission is free. To RSVP, visit http://goo.gl/forms/LJdnJB0BOc. RSVP today to ensure your spot. For more information, visit jci-gardena.org or contact Michelle Yamashiro at [email protected] or (310) 324-6611.