Though we only watched a few clips from the movie in class, I think it was a more accurate portrayal of Hawaii than how it was in Bird of Paradise. But this is probably because it was based on a true event, and not a work of romantic fiction. I especially liked how they included pidgin in the dialogue, which is something that we actually do have in Hawaii's culture unlike the stereotypical grass huts and hula girls. And I have to say.. it was a nice touch to have the actual soldiers to participate in the film, as well as have some actual footage near the end of the movie. However, it must've have been difficult (not to mention a little distressing) to have to "play pretend" and re-live war all over again, even if it was just a movie.
In addition, I thought the message about racism and honor really stood out... I mean, the person that was assigned at first to be their leader was prejudiced against them, but in the end his opinion of them changed. Yes, hate is a powerful emotion, but it can also be overcome with time. These Japanese Americans didn't need to fight for their country; they were treated like the enemy after all, by their own country. They didn't need to fight for the people who were racially prejudiced against them. They didn't owe them anything. But they volunteered anyway to put their lives on the line to prove to their country that they were indeed loyal. And they succeeded. And yet some people still treated them like dirt... which really bugs me. But I suppose you can't change everyone's opinion.
For me this film was a very emotional one to watch. It was hard to see the racial prejudice toward the Japanese-Americans that happened after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. I command all those men that had to go through the intensive investigations, interrogations and doing all of that being separated from their families. Although the country that is treating these Japanese-American men like the enemy, these men still went out and fought for the country they call home. I think that being recognized and obtaining all the Purple Hearts that they were given by the United States was definitely an accomplishment for those men to hold close to their hearts. The sad thing is that even though with that recognition, there is still racism and prejudice.
ReplyDelete- Tira Kamaka
ENG205; Hawai'i on Screen
Professor Sagle
Fall 2012
I knew about the 442 regiment but I didn't know that they had made a movie about them until this class. It's a true testament that the 442 were a pivotal group of people, not just Japanese Americans but people. I could never go through something like what they did even once let alone twice. They definitely deserve the recognition that they all have now.
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