A Flicker in Eternity, directed by Ann Kaneko and Sharon Yamato, is a wonderful short documentary that tells the coming-of-age story of Stanley Hayami, a Japanese American teenager who finds himself incarcerated behind barbed wire during World War II. Based on Hayami's actual diary, letters and drawings, the film is a beautiful homage to a young man full of hope and promise who gave his life for a country that betrayed him.
The film is currently winding down a Indiegogo fundraising campaign to outreach and bring Stanley's story to classrooms and community groups across the country. Take a look at the trailer:
Here's some more information about the film:
Based on Hayami's diary and letters archived at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, A FLICKER IN ETERNITY tells the true World War II story of a talented young teenager caught between his dream of becoming an artist and his duty to his country.This coming-of-age tale chronicles Stanley's life behind barbed wire and as a soldier who was part of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.I had the pleasure of hosting a sold-out screening of A Flicker in Eternity last month at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. It's a beautifully made film for its lessons in history and humanity, and deserves to be seen by everyone. For further information about the film, and to make a pledge, go to Indiegogo.
Hayami (1925-1945) attended high school at the Heart Mountain Concentration Camp in Wyoming. He left Heart Mountain in June 1944 to join the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of the U.S. Army and was killed in combat in Northern Italy on April 23, 1945, while trying to help a fellow soldier. He was only nineteen years old.
Audiences have been incredibly moved by this story at festivals across the nation. A FLICKER IN ETERNITY won “Best Short Documentary” at the DisOrient Film Festival in Eugene, OR and at the Asians on Film Festival. It screened to a sold-out audience at the LA Asian Pacific Film Festival.