It happened again.
It happened again.
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Tyrone Hadnott was arrested last week on charges of raping a 14-year-old girl in Okinawa, where Hadnott is stationed. The attack is eerily similar to the 1995 assault by three U.S. servicemen on an Okinawan girl that inspired our film The First Breath of Tengan Rei. The pattern of crimes committed by servicemen against native women has continued unabated since the 1995 incident sparked international controversy. The military has taken nominal steps to curb the problem, but the crimes continue not only in Okinawa, but also in the Philippines, South Korea, and seemingly anywhere the U.S. fashions itself the protector of the local population.
Though it’s gotten relatively little attention in the U.S., it’s top news in Japan, where the attack has reignited anti-military protests. It’s in this heated climate that we introduce our film to the Japanese market. As we talk with sales agents, distributors and theatrical exhibitors in Okinawa and the Japanese mainland, we walk a fine line. The latest tragedy highlights the need for more international discourse on the consequences of occupation. The headlines foster heightened interest in the subject of The First Breath of Tengan Rei. But we must be careful to avoid the appearance of exploiting the issue. We’re confident that our film makes a valuable contribution to the conversation. But the impulses toward silence and denial are strong, particularly in Okinawa where the U.S. military has been the engine of economic development.
We recently completed the stereo mix for The First Breath of Tengan Rei with Lou Mallozzi of Exprimental Sound Studio and Mark Messing of Maestro-Matic. Color correction is the last major hurdle of post-production.
Here’s a clip of Junko from her appearance on the Japanese talk show Contact during her trip to Japan last December.
Junko Kajino on Japanese TV show “Contact”
Finally, congrats to all our Lab friends screening at SXSW!
–Ed Koziarski, The First Breath of Tengan Rei
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Hi Ed,
I actually saw this headline last week and was going to write you, but figured you’d be aware. I’m sure it’s a fine line to walk as you approach distributors and sales agents in light of the recent events, but I’m sure you both handle it tactfully. I look forward to hearing what you guys have learned about the distribution process in Japan.
Take care,
Tom