Pacific Islands Showcase
©︎2023 Toyonaka Performing Arts Center / trixta
Okinawa Premiere
『GAMA』
Director: Kaori Oda
2023／53 minutes／Japan／Japanese／DCP
In Okinawa, the "Gama" caves provided shelter during the intense battles of WWII. Mitsuo Matsunaga, a collector and peace guide, shares the untold stories of those who sought refuge within these caves. The film delves into the haunting memories of those who lived in fear underground. At the same time, a mysterious figure in blue connects the past and present, capturing the layers of time and human history within the Gama caves. Shot on 16mm film, this documentary explores the profound impact of war on the local community.
＜Director Profile＞
Kaori Oda
Kaori Oda, born in Osaka, Japan in 1987, is a filmmaker and artist whose creations delve into the intricacies of human memories through imagery and sound. She earned her PhD in filmmaking through the film.factory program under the guidance of Hungarian director Béla Tarr in 2016. Oda received the Oshima Nagisa Award in 2020 and the New Artist Prize in the 71st Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology Award.
