What I liked
I appreciated the diversity and commitment of all of the actors making this story come alive. As a Vietnamese American, I was pleasantly surprised that the intersection of the Vietnamese and Japanese experience was highlighted as well as the Black American experience. I also really appreciated the actress who played the daughter and mother – she really brought a well-rounded emotionality to her role (e.g. the tears) and a particular levity to her role as she balanced identity, teenagehood and the yearning to belong in community.
What I didn't like
At times, I was confused when the past and present scenes would switch. Possibly add more of a pause? Personally, it took longer for it to click to connect that the younger, interned Japanese characters were in the present.
My overall impression
This was a poignant celebration of family, history and the grief that is born from preserving memory. As a community, we cannot forget the devastating impact of Japanese internment and how this experience has situated itself into the American psyche – past and present.
