Sacramento Bee Editorial

Editorial: A story worth telling – widely

Sacramento Bee
Published 12:00 am PDT Tuesday, June 10, 2008

In the recent spate of movies about the World War II Greatest Generation, one story has not been told to a large audience. That's the story of second-generation Japanese Americans who volunteered for military service, even as their families were forced from their homes into internment camps.

There is a beautiful feature-length film of this experience, and it had one showing in Sacramento on Saturday. But no national distributor has picked up the film for mass distribution.

Sacramento's Japanese American community brought "Only the Brave" to town as a benefit for the renovation of the Nisei War Memorial Hall at Fourth and O streets, in Sacramento's long-gone Japantown. All proceeds will go to the renovation, thanks to Mikuni restaurant's underwriting of the sold-out showing, a fine start on raising funds and a fine tribute to the World War II-era Nisei veterans who attended.

When these soldiers returned home from the war, the American Legion wouldn't accept them. The Veterans of Foreign Wars welcomed them, but said they'd have more impact if they formed their own post. So they did. But now the hall needs renovation.

Filmmaker Lane Nishikawa spoke at the showing. The movie is based on the experiences of his three uncles, giving the movie a personal touch. It's also the story of women and children on the home front. Even in harsh scenes, the film has a light touch that makes a point without dwelling on it – from an encounter with white soldiers at a Mississippi training camp to goodbyes from an internment camp.

The center of the movie is the Battle of Bruyere in France, where Japanese American units were ordered to rescue the Texas "Lost Battalion" surrounded by German forces. The Japanese American 100th/442nd Combat Team suffered more than 800 casualties to save 211 out of 270 Texans. In the film, the leader of the Texas forces thanks Sgt. Jimmy Takata, and Takata replies, "You'd have done the same for us." Just think about that one for a minute.

Through their great sacrifice, the Nisei helped reverse deep-seated hostility at home. That great American story deserves a wide audience. It's a shame that this film will have only limited theatrical release in the United States.

– Pia Lopez, plopez@sacbee.com

http://www.sacbee.com/110/v-print/story/1001180.html

03/06/08
OTB Screenings in Hilo, Honolulu and Wailuku in March 2008

"ONLY THE BRAVE" - the motion picture that the Honolulu Star Bulletin has called "long overdue" and a "powerful, haunting feature" - is coming to the big screen, with engagements in Hilo, Honolulu and Wailuku.

Seating will be limited.

In Hilo, the screening at the Palace Theatre, located at 38 Haili, Hilo, at 6:30 pm on Thursday, March 13, 2008, is sponsored by the KYOCERA Corporation and Big Island Candies. Proceeds from the box office will benefit the A.J.A. Veterans Council and Jason Scott Lee's Ulua Theatre.

Tickets are $7 for adults; $6 for seniors and students. U.S. Armed Forces veterans will be admitted free.

To purchase tickets in advance, call 808-934-7010.

In Honolulu, the screening at the Hawaii Theatre, located at 1130 Bethel Street, at 7 pm on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, is sponsored by the KYOCERA Corporation. Proceeds from the box office will benefit the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, and from DVD sales that night to the 100th Battalion Veterans Club and the 442nd Veteran Club.

Tickets are $10 each. To purchase tickets in advance, call 808-528-0506.

In Wailuku, the screenings at the Maui Onstage at the Historic IAO Theater, located at 68 N. Market Street, are at 2 pm and 6:30 pm on Friday, March 21, 2008, sponsored by the KYOCERA Corporation and Dowling Company, Inc. Proceeds from the box office will benefit the Maui 442-I Company and the Mau 100th / 442nd Veterans.

Tickets are $8 general admission. U.S. Armed Forces veterans will be admitted free. To purchase tickets in advance, call 808-242-6969.

DVDs of the film can be purchased at all the screenings or by visiting www.OnlyTheBraveMovie.com.

These events are part of a 30-city tour by Hawai'i-born filmmaker Lane Nishikawa. Lane will be present all the screenings to mark the DVD release of his acclaimed motion picture, which was an official selection at 17 U.S. film festivals, including the STARZ Denver International Film Festival, where it won the coveted Audience Award.

DOWNLOAD HAWAII TOUR PDF FLYER

08/16/07
Now Available on DVD!

Own a piece of American history and purchase a copy of this inspiring, award-winning film!

A searing portrait of war and prejudice, this new motion picture will take you on a haunting journey into the hearts and minds of the forgotten heroes of World War II – the all-volunteer, Japanese-American 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team.

To order your copies of ONLY THE BRAVE, visit our DVD order page, or download an order form and make your check or money order payable to Mission From Buddha Productions and send to:

Mission From Buddha Productions
P.O. Box 420866
San Diego, CA, 92142

10% discount on orders of 4 or more DVDs. If ordering 10 or more, contact Mission From Buddha Productions at (858)565-2021. All orders will be sent out USPS Priority Mail.

11/10/09
OTB Review by VideoViews.org

This is the tale of the all-volunteer 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team, a platoon of second-generation Japanese-American soldiers that would become among the most decorated units in World War II. Facing terrible odds and the distrust of their adopted homeland these brave men were instrumental in the rescue of the famous Texas "Lost Battalion," a fight that would cost more than 800 men their lives.
I always enjoy a good war flick and when I read that Jason Scott Lee, Mark Dacascos and Pat Morita were among the cast members I was even more excited. One thing we all look for in a war film is the combat scenes and they were very well done here and really helps you feel just what these soldiers were going through, their pain and their fear. Also I felt the flashbacks into the personal lives of each of these men did a great job at filling out the characters and in turn it helps you connect and feel for each of them. Many of you out there may never of even known about the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team, and had no idea that the mission to save the Texan unit even took place but after seeing this you will find it to be a powerful and moving story of bravery. This tribute to an unbelievable group of soldiers leaves you thinking about your own life and just how easy you have it while others just like these brave men the story is about are fighting for us all right now. It does hit home and leaves you feeling very different about a lot of things when it is over. By watching this it is hard to believe that it is a low budget, Independent film. The wonderful cast and amazing detail to uniform, weapons and everything else about the time period makes this film play and look much bigger than it is. The story shows these men as brave soldiers but it also shows them as humans with wives and children waiting at home for them which sends a message that war should be the last option as losing one life is too many. Made in 2006 it seems Only The Brave never had a chance to reach a wide audience but now that it is on DVD I hope everyone picks it up and I for one am grateful to all those involved in making the film and preserving an important piece of history that no one should miss. A rare and powerful eye-opener that I highly recommend owning.

Originally published:
http://www.videoviews.org/onlythebrave.html