New Documentary Traces Cultural Roots of Okinawan Immigrant Families in Brazil

Film Focus

New documentary "Okinawa Saudade" explores the connection between people and place through the lives of Okinawan immigrant families in Brazil. The film is currently playing at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival as part of the Nippon Cinema Now selection. It follows two young dancers from the latest generation: Yumi, who dances Ryukyu Buyo, and Everton, who teaches Eisa. The pair travel to Okinawa on an exchange trip to learn about local history and culture.

Background

Director Matsubayashi Yoju first discovered the story while living in Brazil in 2016. He learned about the wartime and post-World War II forced relocation of Japanese Brazilians in Santos, where about 60% of those forced out were from Okinawa. That history led him to make his 2020 documentary "Okinawa/Santos." Through that project, he connected with the Urizunkai, a Brazilian Okinawa community that sends people to Okinawa for training and scholarships. Research for the films drew heavily on documents kept at the Bunkyo cultural facility in São Paulo's Liberdade district. Matsubayashi noted that records left by Okinawan immigrants matched the volume of documents from the other 46 prefectures combined. The community embraced the director, calling him family using the Okinawan dialect term 'Ichariba choodee,' and volunteers helped arrange his production needs. Later, in July 2024, Brazil's Amnesty Commission formally apologized for the state's past persecution of Japanese immigrants.

Style And Production

"Okinawa Saudade" centers on dance and personal identity, following Yumi, Everton, and Matsubayashi himself as they explore their roots. The director highlights differences in dance styles, noting that Creative Eisa in Brazil has developed over 45 years without needing the traditional sanshin instrument. Funding for the project faced challenges, as Matsubayashi noted that NHK, Japan's public broadcaster, struggles with smaller budgets and weak currency, requiring him to rely on a grant from the Okinawa Prefecture to finish post-production.

Context

Film festivals often showcase independent documentaries that explore cultural identity, migration history, and personal heritage. Regional arts grants and public broadcasting funds are common sources of financial support for independent documentary filmmakers in Japan. Cultural exchange programs also frequently connect overseas diaspora communities with their ancestral homelands.