Watch Yasukuni

This captivating film directed by Li Ying, a Chinese film maker who resided in Japan for decades, addresses a sensitive topic: Japan's long history of nationalistic military traditions prior to the outbreak of the World War II. The title refers to the Yasukuni Shrine, a memorial established by the Japanese in 1869 to honor the memories of people who died in military service to the nation. The director skillfully interweaves segments about the shrine and history with an interview he conducted with Naoji Kariya, a geriatric professional sword maker, while the elderly man created a new blade in his studio.