HONOR & SACRIFICE tells the complex story of a Japanese immigrant family ripped apart by WWII. The Matsumoto family included five sons; two who fought for the Americans and three who fought for the Japanese. The eldest, Hiroshi (Roy), became a hero, fighting against the Japanese with Merrill’s Marauders, an American guerrilla unit in Burma. He was born near Los Angeles, educated in Japan, and became a hero when he used his Japanese language skills and military training to save his surrounded, starving battalion deep in the Burmese jungle. At the same time his parents and sisters were living in their family’s ancestral home, Hiroshima. The story is told by Roy’s daughter Karen as she discovers her father’s work in military intelligence, kept secret for 50 years.


Curriculum Guide (PDF)

 

Reviews

Honor & Sacrifice Poster“This is an important film. In Roy Matsumoto’s extraordinary heroism, we glimpse the confluence of racism in both Japan and the US during WWII and the irony of Japanese Americans contributing mightily to the success of the American military in SE Asia leading to the destruction of the Japanese Empire”.
Franklin Odo, Former Director, Smithsonian’s Asian Pacific American Program

“A riveting story compellingly told, Honor & Sacrifice uncovers a tragedy of war-the breakup of families and the tests of conflicting loyalties. Japanese Americans serve in the U.S. military to defend freedom while their families are interned, brothers fight in opposing armies, and the atomic bomb levels an American soldier’s family home. There is no glory in wars.”
Gary Okihiro, Professor of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University

Information & Outreach

For more information about the film and upcoming screenings visit www.honordoc.com

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PUBLIC PERFORMANCE RIGHTS
A “public performance” is any performance of a videocassette, DVD, videodisc or film which occurs outside of the home, or at any place where people are gathered who are not family members, such as in a school or library. In most cases titles sold are restricted to home use only and do not include public performance rights. No admission may be charged for a showing of Honor and Sacrifice: The Roy Matsumoto Story without written permission from BIJAC or Stourwater Pictures.

BIJAC’s Mission

"To preserve the history and culture of Japanese Americans of Bainbridge Island and support education and community outreach that fosters a deep appreciation for diversity, justice, and the need for vigilant protection of our civil and constitutional rights."

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