Watch Children of the Camps

Children of the Camps is a powerful 1999 documentary film directed by Yasuhiro Tsuchiya and narrated by Linda Hunt. The film provides a poignant look at the experiences of Japanese Americans who were incarcerated in internment camps during World War II. It features interviews with Japanese Americans who were children at the time, as well as archival footage and photos from the era.

The film introduces several main characters, including Howard Ikemoto, Satsuki Ina, and Marion Kanemoto. Each of these individuals recounts their experiences of being forcibly removed from their homes and sent to internment camps. Howard Ikemoto describes being uprooted from his family's farm in California and sent to a camp in Arkansas. Satsuki Ina describes being born in an internment camp, where she spent the first few years of her life. Marion Kanemoto speaks about being separated from her father, who was interned in a separate camp from her and her mother.

The film provides a detailed overview of the internment experience, including the forced removal of thousands of Japanese Americans from their homes, the journey to the camps, and the harsh living conditions once they arrived. The film also explores the psychological toll of internment on Japanese American children, many of whom were too young to understand why they were being taken away from their homes and communities.

Throughout the film, we hear heartbreaking stories from Japanese American adults who experienced internment as children. They talk about feeling ashamed of their heritage, being afraid of the guards, and struggling to make sense of the injustice they were experiencing. For some, internment had lifelong impacts, leading to trauma, depression, and difficulty forming relationships.

Despite the serious subject matter, the film also covers moments of resilience and hope. Japanese Americans found ways to make the best of their circumstances, often turning to art, music, and community-building to keep their spirits up. The film also covers the efforts made by Japanese Americans in the decades since internment to seek redress and acknowledgment from the government for the harm that was done.

Overall, Children of the Camps is a moving and informative documentary that shines a light on a dark chapter of American history. By featuring interviews with those who experienced internment firsthand, the film provides a powerful reminder of the importance of speaking truth to power and fighting for justice, even in the face of systemic oppression.

Children of the Camps is a 1999 documentary with a runtime of 57 minutes.