Two inspirational Japanese films screening with English subtitle in February, 2008
Filmmaker Hisako Yamada’s latest two features “Fudeko & the Angel’s Piano” and “Thank you, Daddy Ishii” will be screened with English subtitles at Torrance’s James Armstrong Theater on Sunday, February 3. Only “Fudeko” will be showed at Irvine’s Starplex Cinemas on Saturday, February 2.
Japan’s veteran filmmaker Hisako Yamada has dedicated her career to depict unsung heroes and heroines who changed Japan with their strong beliefs of Christianity at the time before beginning of the twentieth century.
“Fudeko & the Angel’s Piano” is the inspiring true story of Fudeko Ishii (1861-1944) who dedicated her life for establishing cares and educations for children with developmental disabilities in the Meiji Japan.
Born as a daughter of a baron and raised in the Western-style education including studying in France, Fudeko was a teacher and then a principal of a women’s school in the Japan’s noble society. Due to her beauty and sophistication, American President Ulysses Grant praised Fudeko the most intelligent woman in the country on his visit to Japan in 1879.
But Fudeko’s life was changed when she found the developmental disability in her daughter. Fudeko was played by popular actress Takako Tokiwa, and 200 children with developmental disabilities were cast as students of Fudeko’s school.
Filmmaker Yamada has a child with developmental disability, and seeks the social acceptance of these children through her film “Fudeko.”
“Thank you, Daddy Ishii” is also the true story of Jyuji Ishii (1865-1914), foster parent who raised 3,000 orphans. This is a testimonial of how the Christianity changed Japan. Jyuji Ishii and Fudeko Ishii were not related.
The big earthquake in 1891 and the great famine in 1899 displaced many children from their families. Ishii gathered these children and built a campus including schools, vocational training facilities and farming. His facilities housed 1,200 children at one time. Ishii’s charity works took place before renowned Father Flanagan opened Boy’s Town in Omaha, Nebraska in 1917.
Jyuji Ishii was played by Japan’s popular actor Ken Matsudaira who won the Best Actor’s Award from the Association of Japan Film Reviewers in 2005
The screening “Fudeko” and “Ishii” on February 3 in Torrance’s Armstrong Theatre is a benefit vent for nonprofit organization, the Switzer Learning Center specializing in teaching for children with learning disability in Torrance.
Film “Fudeko & the Angel’s Piano” is endorsed by the following organization in its U.S. premiere on November 18 at the Aratani/Japan America Theatre: Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California, Japan Business Association, Japan America Society of Southern California, American Association of Japanese University Women, Japanese Students Network, Japanese Traditional Performing Arts Organization, Japanese Speaking Parents Association of Challenged Children, Southern California Church Federation, Japanese Language School Kyodo System, L.A. Alumni Group of Rikkyo Gakuen, L.A. Alumni Group of Rikkyo Jyogakuin, L.A. Alumni Group of Tsuda College and Alumni Group of Gakushuuin, Nagasaki, Saga and Tokyo Kenjinkais, Tomihiro Museum Association of LA, Pasadena Seminar, Cultural News, and Magicbell Communications.
Screening Schedule
Sunday, February 3, James Armstrong Theatre in the Torrance Cultural Arts Center at Torrance Blvd. and Madrona Ave. in Torrance.
“Thank you, Daddy, Ishii” 11:30AM (one showing only) $10 for general admission, $5 for children and student discount.
“Fudeko & the Angel’s Piano” 2:30PM (one showing only) $15 for general admission, $10 for children and student discount.
Ticket are available online at www.TorranceArts.com, and at the theater box office at (310) 781-7171.
Saturday, February 2, Starplex Cinemas Woodbridge Movies at Woodbridge Shopping Center, 4626 Barranca Parkway, Irvine.
“Fudeko & Angel’s Piano” 12:30PM and 5:00PM (two showing) $15 for general admission, $10 for children and student discount.
Ticket are available at Yamaha irvine Center (949) 559-5440; Yamaha Laguna
Center (949) 360-7490; Kinokuniya Book Store Costa Mesa (714) 662-2319
For more information, contact Mikko Henson at (310) 378-3550 or e-mail