pictures dept.

Six months after 9.11

It is just six months since the earthquake.
I pray anew, from the bottom of my heart,
for the repose of the victims souls.

I did not know what to do in such an unimaginable situation,
so I considered my options.
Then, on the 14th March, I quickly started the contribution site,
SUPPORT JAPAN-Gambare via the internet fundraising site
called JustGiving. At the time I wrote down my feelings
and asked people to click on the site if they shared my sentiment.

Thereafter, during the ensuing six months,
I received a lot of offers for charity screenings from overseas.
However, despite everyone having good will and meaning well,
it sometimes backfired on the very people they are trying to help.
I faced the stark reality of “Good intentions can backfire.”

What do the injured people in the disaster area need? – I asked myself.
Meanwhile, I had to judge the good will of people from
all over the world, who presented me with offers to help.
I had to use my own judgement to evaluate my levels of
cooperation. The reality of that caused me a lot of heartache
and soul searching.

Here is the list of thirty-eight people who were the first
to help Japan with their all their hearts.
The amount donated achieved 201% of the original target figure.
I contributed all of this support money to the private adaptation
team for the disaster called CIVIC FORCE.
(See my article “Why CIVIC FORCE? here.)

Your kindness is more than I have ever encountered in my time
in the film industry.

I would especially like to say thank you to all the fans,
who love Japanese films and games, for their cries of support for Japan.
From the bottom of my heart, I am so delighted.

At first, JustGiving did not charge their usual 15% commission fee.
Originally the organisation was prepared to send 100% of the money
received from everyone to the locations it was supporting.
This was the rational reason why I chose this organisation.
However, as the situation gradually calmed down,
the system has returned to the basis where they take
their commission.

I am now considering gradually moving the substance of
the support from, “first of all, give relief” to “moral support for the revival”.
Meanwhile, I think I will continue to collect donations on this site
for the time being.

This is my current feeling six months after the disaster.

As a first step, I heard that the mobile Cinema called MoMO
was put into use, and showed some films on an outdoor screen
in Tohoku. I think this is sort of thing that is needed, however,
I have wondered how easy it is too keep it funded as
it cannot be done by halves. It is all or nothing.
Can this event be really good for the people in disaster area?
Fortunately, this project has so far helped to keep hope alive.
I will keep an eye on it.

My friend, film director, Stu Levy went to the disaster area
just after the earthquake. He is making a documentary film,
called “Pray For Japan”, to send out a message to the world.
I am very happy to support him.
I believe it is time for film to help support the survivors.

This is important.

I am afraid, to be honest, that Japan was not as united
as was hoped for at the time.

What is the reason?
What is it’s origin?
What can I do to help?

I have been thinking about this for the six months.

The answer, which grew in my mind, was that the victims
who lost their precious lives need some sort a requiem.
So I promise to try and help make a future,
which is full of hope.

2:46 p.m.
I was reading a film script for a new project.

I am reading a happy scene at this time. A baby boy is born,
which is the sort of thing to make everyone smile.
I know it is too good to be true, however,
whether it may be a coincidence, or maybe an inevitability,
I would like to feel more of this hope in my life.

I am very grateful to everyone who cooperated in
collecting donations with us,

Total contribution :
100% of One million one-thousand and five hundred yen
has been sent to Civic Force.
Target growth rate : 201%

These are the people who joined force with
the JustGiving pictures.dept. challenge site:

Producer of “The Man from Nowhere”: Mr. Tae-Hun Lee
Busan International Film Festival Director (Korea) : Mr. Kim Ji-Seok

JapanglishJapanglish (UK) : Mr. Andrew Kirkham & Mrs Kazumi Kirkham

Film Director : Mr. Masaaki Taniguchi
(Time Traveller; the girl who leapt through time)

New York Asian Film Festival Director (USA) : Mr. Marc Walkow

Subtitles Translator : Mr. Don Brown

Hakuhoudo Casting Department : Ms. Michiyo Sato

Film Director : Mr. Sono Sion (Himizu, Guilty of Romance)

Actor : Mr. Tak Sakaguchi

AMUSE INC. Producer : Mr. Motoaki Aoki

Nikkatsu SUSHI TYPHOON Producer : Mr. Yoshinori Chiba

Film Director : Satoshi Miki (Adrift in Tokyo)

J-Film Pow Wow (Canada) “Fine, Totally Fine” Charity Screening

Nippon Connection (Germany) “Fine, Totally Fine” Charity Screening

Film Site Creator: Mr. Kouichi Nagano

North West Film Forum (USA・Seattle)
“Fine Totally Fine” Charity Screening

Rob Bucher (USA・Philadelphia)
“8000Miles(Saitama no Rappers”” Charity Screening

Udine Far East Film Festival – Charity Bag Sale Proceeds,
Ms. Sabrina Baracetti, Mr. Mark Shillings and everyone at the festival
Japanese Canadian Culture Centre (Canada)
“TIME TRAVELLER, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time”
Charity Screening.
Twenty seven people who participated in NOMIKAI 311
Poyopoyu-san / Avanti-san / amichan-san / Yoshiyuki-san /
Kayueyukos-san / Konmame-san / Bua-san / Senoo-san /
Tomomi-san / rakko-chan-san / kyokyo-san / hanglu0226-san /
natsu-san / Takobo-san / otamastar-san.

This has been press-released on September 11th and covered
by one of the most popular Japanese economic newspaper, Nikkei
on August 15th as well as BUNKA-TSUSHIN, the movie trade magazine
on September 13th. Thank you again for your great support, everyone!!

Yuko Shiomaki, pictures dept. co. ltd.
September 11, 2011 at 14:46PM