West Encounters East

What country has the largest concentration of ethnic Japanese outside of Japan? Brazil, it turns out. Filmmaker Stella Holmes's PBS-aired documentary is largely an exploration of Japanese-Brazilian identity as it is reflected in the works of contemporary artists, but it also serves up a bit of history. After slavery was abolished in Brazil, the ensuing need for more laborers to tend to the nation's coffee plantations resulted in Japanese workers emigrating to the country (mostly at the beginning of the 20th century). As subsequent generations settled in, a hybrid culture emerged—specifically observed here in São Paulo—that is a colorful and fascinating fusion (consider sushi made from Brazilian ingredients). It's through art, however, that West Encounters East mainly examines the intersection of two distinct traditions, examining the works of painter and draftsman Takashi Fukushima, illustrator Catarina Gushiken, sculptor Yutaka Toyota, photographer Guillermo Ueno, and visual artist Jade Matarazzo. An interesting film about bicultural artists whose work marries cultural identity with aesthetics, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)