Executive Producer, Katy Perry, Producer, Mari Rivera, and Co-directors Aya Tanimura and Tim Nackashi want to share a message with all Americans and the rest of the world: “Don’t let history repeat itself.”
The PSA, which released on January 16, features 89-year-old Haru Kuromiya of Japanese descent, telling the story of her father being taken away by the FBI, and being uncertain about when she would see him again.
“My entire family was put on a registry. We were given names and numbers and we had to wear them,” Kuromiya recalled. “Then we put on a train and I had no idea where we were going, but we ended up at this Interment camp.”
Watch below to see what happened next:
The video ends on a chilling note, drawing parallels between Kuromiya’s story and President-elect Donald Trump’s claims of starting a muslim registry.
Perry also wrote a blank check to the filmmakers to cover the costs of the PSA’s crucial custom prosthetic makeup effects, crafted by Oscar-nominated special effects guru Tony Gardner.
DIVERGE talked to Tim Nackashi, co-director of the PSA to let him tell the story behind this PSA and the message it wants to spread.
Why did you decide to make this PSA?
The original intent was to use our skills and ideas as filmmakers to put a spotlight on the Japanese Internment camps of the 40’s and draw a connection to the fear-mongering and hateful rhetoric that seems to be growing louder today, particularly from within the new administration.
What kind of response have you gotten from it?
Overall, the response has been great and we’ve really gotten the sense that the message is connecting with people!
Who is the team behind the video?
Our team is a great group of people from a bunch of different backgrounds and individual talents. The idea started from conversations between Tony Gardner, an incredible visual effects make-up artist and Aya Tanimura. Aya presented the idea to Katy Perry who lent some support and Aya brought me (Tim Nackashi) in to co-direct. Haru Kuromiya is the real person who lived through the Japanese Internments and who tells her story, which is the voice of most of the piece.
Hina Khan is our amazing actress who plays the part of Haru before she reveals herself Mission Impossible-style and actually says the final line “Don’t let history repeat itself.” And Mari Rivera is our amazing Producer who helped bring so much together for the shoot and launch.
Why is the message from this video so important, especially in the current political climate?
The political climate seems to be growing increasingly divisive, and we want to put out the message that rather than sitting back and waiting for things to devolve into greater fear and fighting among factions, that there are many of this who aren’t buying into the hateful rhetoric. We want to say that we are all in this together.
Why do you think diversity and equality needs to be a priority?
Diversity and equality are essential to the ideals of America. The threat of a Muslim registry as problematic because it sections off a group of Americans based on their religious beliefs and we see that as a precursor to shipping away at the Constitution.
What was it like having Katy Perry work on this video?
Katy Perry is a leader and an activist for the disenfranchised so having her champion this project was super inspiring for our group!
Full Credits:
Executive Produced by Katy Perry
Co-Directed by Aya Tanimura and Tim Nackashi
Produced by Mari Rivera
Starring Hina Kahn
Visual Effects Make-up by Tony Garder @ Alterian
Cinematography by Lowell Meyer
Location Provided by Jesse DeYoung
Post by Coyote
Edited by Celeste Diamos
Sound Mix Lihi Orbach
Score Composed by David Frank Long
Color Robert Curreri
Social Media Support by Loren Rochelle & Chris McMahon @ ThisIsNom.co
