Three Asian Americans: a doctor, a war hero and an artist are the subjects of three Seattle Channel documentaries featured this week at local film festivals. The profiles are part of our Emmy-Award winning Community Stories series.
First up is “Dr. Ruby” at the Everett Film Festival, 7:20 p.m., Friday, Feb. 19 at the Everett Performing Arts Center.
The first Japanese American female doctor in Seattle, Dr. Ruby Inouye Shu overcame social and cultural bias to become a much-loved physician.
“An American Hero: Shiro Kashino” and “Enfu” will play at the Seattle Asian American Film Festival, 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Northwest Film Forum. The documentaries are part of the festival’s East By Northwest program, a collection of short films focused on the Pacific Northwest. Admission is free, but seating is limited.
“An American Hero: Shiro Kashino” is based on the graphic novel “Fighting for America: Nisei Soldiers,” by Lawrence Matsuda. This inventive animated short tells the story of Shiro Kashino, a World War II Nisei veteran. Born in Seattle and a graduate of Garfield High School, Shiro would go on to join the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and become one of the most decorated soldiers of the Second World War
“Enfu” profiles Seattle-based artist Ken Taya (known to most as Enfu), whose work speaks to generations of Asian Americans. From the gritty exploration of his cultural identity to the evolution of his artistic style, this film explores the whimsical and cross-cultural relevance of Enfu’s work which has won him fans around the world.
