Welcome to the 3rd Annual College of San Mateo Asian Pacific American Film Festival's "An Afternoon Matinee with CCLPEP Films." Once again we are honored to screen films that tell the stories of the Japanese American Concentration Camp Experience during World War II. This year we are privileged to present Lane Nishikawa's "Only The Brave."
"Only The Brave" was inspired by the historic rescue of the Texans of the 141st Regiment, U.S. Army in October 1944, who was labeled as "lost" or another casualty of war. The all-Nisei Regimental Combat team was ordered to reach them, no matter the cost. Facing a larger enemy force, the Nisei broke through the German lines, but at a tremendous price. The Unit suffered over 800 casualties to save 211 soldiers of the "Lost Battalion" in what is regarded today as one of the ten most significant battles of World War II.
"Only The Brave" inspired by this historical rescue, captures the tragedies and sacrifices of these courageous Americans as they find comfort in the memories of their loved ones back home in Hawaii and in the ten concentration camps spread across the United States they fought to serve. The 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team became the most decorated unit in U. S. military history. Filmmaker Lane Nishikawa will be present for a Q&A session after the screening of the film.
The opening film for "An Afternoon Matinee with CCLPEP Films" will be Cindy Fang's "A Crossroad Called Manzanar." Director Cindy Fang film shows the racial tensions in Los Angeles against Japanese Americans months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. As anti-Japanese xenophobia grips Los Angeles, the Chinese Americans residents feel pressure to distinguish themselves from their unpopular
Japanese neighbors. In the midst of the turmoil, two young girls - best friends - spend their final moments together, not realizing that their lives will soon be forever changed. Filmmaker Cindy Fang will be presentfor a Q&A session
after the screening of "A Crossroad Called Manzanar."
The "Afternoon Matinee with CCLPEP Films" funding was provided by a grant from the California Civil Liberties Public Education Program (CCLPEP) and the California State Library.
The CCLPEP was created in 1998 by then Assemblyman Mike Honda now Congressman Mike Honda (15th District/Santa Clara County). The CCLPEP sponsors public
educational activities and development of educational materials to ensure that the Japanese American Concentration Camp Experience will be remembered.
