Kenji Comes Home is a 1949 documentary film produced by Paul F. Heard. Written and directed by Charles F. Schwep, it was filmed on location in Japan and employed native actors. The film is the story of Kenji, a repatriated prisoner of war in Japan, and his difficulties in settling down. He is torn between the glowing promises of communism and ideals of his girlfriend Aki's Christian religion. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
William Canfield
Voice
Kenji Comes Home is a 1949 documentary film produced by Paul F. Heard. Written and directed by Charles F. Schwep, it was filmed on location in Japan and employed native actors. The film is the story of Kenji, a repatriated prisoner of war in Japan, and his difficulties in settling down. He is torn between the glowing promises of communism and ideals of his girlfriend Aki's Christian religion. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
This short feature follows the return of “Kenji Morikawa” to his Japanese hometown some two years after the end of WWII only to find himself alone. He has no family, no job and no home so cuts quite a lonely figure as he wanders the streets. Fortunately, he encounters the enthusiastic young “Shiru”, a bit of an urchin, and together they visit the home of “Aki” and her mother. She was the sister of one of his childhood friends who did not survive the war and soon the two are soon spending time together. Meantime, “Kenji” manages to get himself a job in a factory and things begin to look up. At work, however, the well-intentioned introduction of an elementary trades union is beginning to develop into something less democratic and more Communist in nature. For a nation of citizens used to obeying orders, it would seem that this might bode poorly for the future. What is “Kenji” to do? Well as it happens “Aki” is a Christian and studies at the university, so perhaps she can offer him a way out of this latest predicament before she leaves the city to study elsewhere? This was produced by the Protestant Church Commission and so clearly has an agenda that in many ways is just as underhand as that employed by the Communists - taking those vulnerable and offering them a solution that will ostensibly empower them and improve their lives. To that end the story does resonate at the start reminding us that displaced people all need to find purpose if civilised society is to thrive in what was left of the 1940s, but the overly simplistic narration that develops merely suggests another form of indoctrination with the “sheep” here not so very different from the previous flock that followed a divinity with more human features. There is quite an engaging effort here from the young lad who plays “Shiru” - there are no acting credits anywhere - and the unfettered message of the first ten minutes reminds us that reconciliation is never an easy process. Sadly, though, once it’s funding proprietors get hold of the script and it’s editorial direction of travel then I am afraid it merely preaches another version of control. Watch it though. See what you think?
A compilation of over 30 years of private home movie footage shot by Lithuanian-American avant-garde director Jonas Mekas, assembled by Mekas "purely by chance", without concern for chronological order.
A detailing of the rise to prominence and global sporting superstardom of six supremely talented young Manchester United football players (David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil and Gary Neville). The film covers the period 1992-1999, culminating in Manchester United's European Cup triumph.
Brilliant, long in-the-works story of the life and art of the world's greatest comedian and the cinema's first genius, Charlie Chaplin. Produced, written and directed by renowned film critic Richard Schickel.
When Allied forces liberated the Nazi concentration camps in 1944-45, their terrible discoveries were recorded by army and newsreel cameramen, revealing for the first time the full horror of what had happened. Making use of British, Soviet and American footage, the Ministry of Information’s Sidney Bernstein (later founder of Granada Television) aimed to create a documentary that would provide lasting, undeniable evidence of the Nazis’ unspeakable crimes. He commissioned a wealth of British talent, including editor Stewart McAllister, writer and future cabinet minister Richard Crossman – and, as treatment advisor, his friend Alfred Hitchcock. Yet, despite initial support from the British and US Governments, the film was shelved, and only now, 70 years on, has it been restored and completed by Imperial War Museums under its original title "German Concentration Camps Factual Survey".
Over seven decades, actor and activist George Takei journeyed from a World War II internment camp to the helm of the Starship Enterprise, and then to the daily news feeds of five million Facebook fans. Join George and his husband, Brad, on a wacky and profound trek for life, liberty, and love.
Iverson is the ultimate legacy of NBA legend Allen Iverson, who rose from a childhood of crushing poverty in Hampton, Virginia, to become an 11-time NBA All-Star and universally recognized icon of his sport. Off the court, his audacious rejection of conservative NBA convention and unapologetic embrace of hip hop culture sent shockwaves throughout the league and influenced an entire generation. Told largely in Iverson's own words, the film charts the career highs and lows of one of the most distinctive and accomplished figures the sport of basketball has ever seen.
A documentary on the expletive's origin, why it offends some people so deeply, and what can be gained from its use.
Lyrical and powerfully personal essay film that reflects on the deaths of her husband Lou Reed, her mother, her beloved dog, and such diverse subjects as family memories, surveillance, and Buddhist teachings.
A documentary about the life and films of director John Ford.
This documentary focuses on the actors and their journey over two summers to create the remake to the original IT, by Stephen King. The documentary originally released as bonus material, bundled with IT: Chapter Two.