Half Kenneth

Filmmaker Ken Ochiai produced the short “Half Kenneth” as an AFI thesis film. Interesting perspective from HAPA kids during the period of internment camps. Here’s a synopsis:

Kenneth Handa is an adolescent Japanese-American, and has been imprisoned in the Manzanar War Relocation Camp three years since the start of the war. After his father passes away in the camp, Ken decides to escape to find his Caucasian mother. Things become complicated, however, when Ken’s little brother Jo follows him into the back of the camp infirmary truck heading into town (Ken’s means of escape). On their journey home, the boys manage to make a surprising discovery—one they did not expect.

Also stars Chris Tashima (Americanese). Look for it at Asian American film festivals and shorts film festivals. It’s playing today in Los Angeles for 2009 ID Film Fest.

Half Kenneth Trailer

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