MacArthur's Children (1984 Movie) -- "A significant and rare film"

The Sacramento Japanese Film Festival and the Jan Ken Po Cultural Association presented this "significant and rare film" for the free Spring 2011 film screening. As we did last year, Dawn and I attended and enjoyed the opportunity.

From Wikipedia:

"MacArthur's Children (瀬戸内少年野球団 Setouchi Shōnen Yakyū-dan) is a popular and influential 1984 Japanese motion picture. Describing the impact of the United States' occupation of Japan from the perspective of the inhabitants of a small, rural island community, the film featured the big screen debut of actor Ken Watanabe."

and from the IMDB:

"Starring Masako Natsume, Shima Iwashita, and Hiromi Go. Mac Arthur’s Children begins with Emperor Hirohito’s radio speech announcing Japan’s defeat. The Japanese face profound change and the American occupation. The movie is seen through the eyes of two boys in Awaji, a small fishing village on Japan’s Inland Sea. Young men return as wounded soldiers; lives are shattered; there are would be Yakuzas. There is also Glen Miller and American baseball. Director Masahiro Shinoda’s film is a rare gem which tells the story with compassion and humor. (1984, 120 minutes, color). PG"

Notes

• Ken Watanabe made his film debut, playing the role of Tetsuo
  
• While the advertising mailer implied the movie is rare, one new and six used VHS cassettes are available on Amazon.
  
• "MacArthur's Children was written and directed by two of those titular children, Takeshi Tamura (writer) and Masahiro Shinoda (director); the film was adapted from the Japanese best-seller by Yu Aku." (via)
  
• The Japanese title literally translates (roughly) to "The Inland Sea Schoolboys' Baseball Team"
  
• An interview with director Masahiro Shinoda.
  
• I looked for a link to the source novel, written by now deceased author Yū Aku (阿久 悠, Aku Yū), but without success
  
• The movie was held in the main church hall, this year
  
• Subtitles were white and difficult to read, sometimes
  
• The VHS player ate the film, once or twice
  
• Afterward, Dawn and I relaxed and helped ourselves to a wide variety of snacks, including fresh fruit, hot tea, rice crackers and a homemade mochi-blueberry bar, which tasted delicious
  
• Met Sam and his wife June
  
• Did not get a chance to go outside and see their beautiful garden, this year
  
• Overall, a well-organized event and a tribute to the hard work and dedicated volunteers who put on the Sacramento Japanese Film Festival