Irish Film Institute -International Film Directory – Film Listing

Jimmy Murakami: Non Alien

    • Director

      Sé Merry Doyle

    • Credits

      Producers:
      Martina Durac,
      Vanessa Gildea

  • Category

    Documentary
    Animation

The world-renowned animator Jimmy Murakami (When the Wind Blows, The Snowman) was eight years old when Japan attacked Pearl Harbour during World War Two. Like many other Japanese- American citizens, the Murakami family was evacuated to a concentration camp called Tule Lake in the California desert. Considered a threat to national security, Jimmy’s family, along with many thousands of other internees, spent four years in the camp, where they suffered all kinds of deprivations and where his young sister Sumiko died of leukemia.

Jimmy, now in early retirement, decided to return to this period of his life by creating a series of stunning paintings that illuminate his memories of prison life. He also finally chose to return to Tule Lake Camp. Made under the Arts Council’s Reel Art Initiative, Sé Merry Doyle’s wonderful film follows this extraordinary journey with great compassion and grace.

Notes by Derek O'Connor

90 minutes, USA/Ireland, 2010, Colour

IFI CINEMAS TODAY


The IFI is supported
by The Arts Council

Arts Council of Ireland