Burnaby film screening looks at redress

Is an apology enough? Can reparations ever be made for the wrongs of the past?

Those questions, and more, will be examined during a Redress Film Night on Friday, Oct. 4 at the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre.

The film screening night complements the ongoing exhibit A Call for Justice: Fighting for Japanese Canadian Redress (1977-88), which just opened at the centre.The exhibit marks the 25th anniversary of Japanese Canadian redress, commemorating the signing of the redress agreement with the government of Canada, which acknowledged injustices inflicted on Japanese Canadians during the Second World War.

Two films will be shown at the event.

First is Saiki: Regeneration, written, directed and produced by Mieko Ouchi. It introduces arts and community projects funded by the Japanese Canadian Redress Foundation's community development fund in the first decade after redress.

Saiki demonstrates how the funds were used, giving insight into the impact of the projects on their communities across the country.

Also on the bill is Mitch Miyagawa's A Sorry State, an intimate film about the effect of the formal apology that was offered to Japanese Canadians by the federal government.

"With three Canadian government apologies to his parents and stepparents for past discrimination against his family, which also comprises First Nations and Chinese Canadian citizens, Miyagawa questions the sufficiency of apology," a press release notes.

The film screening is set for 7 p.m. It costs $3 for centre members and seniors, or $5 regular.

The Nikkei Centre is at 6688 Southoaks Cres. in Burnaby. Call 604-777-7000 or see www.nikkeiplace.org for more.