This October, we are shooting Henry’s Glasses, an important film that takes place in the Japanese Canadian internment camp Tashme (now Sunshine Valley) in the year 1945. Our goal is not to bring up hard memories but rather to shed light on this dark time in Canadian history in hopes that it will not be forgotten and will help educate both general audiences and younger generation of Japanese Canadians. The film was written by Brendan Uegama, a sansei from Vancouver whose father was interned. He will also direct.
The script for Henry’s Glasses was awarded a small grant by The Directors Guild of Canada and has been receiving a lot of support by organizations and people such as The National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre and The Bulletin. It is the filmmaker’s goal to make the film as accurate as possible both in its broad scope and in the details that are so important for authenticity.
As an independent production, we are in serious need of financial support to educate people and to preserve this part of Canada’s history and the producers are now looking to the community for assistance in bringing this project to life. As well, we are looking for anyone who is able to donate time and help construct the buildings and sets that will be used during the filming.
For wardrobe, we need help sewing the costumes for the actors. If anyone has clothes left over from that era, and are interested in donating them for the production, that would really help us and would be highly appreciated. We also need to sew some Angler uniforms from scratch. Those were a standard dark blue uniform with a red target on the back and red strip down the side legs. If anyone has first-hand knowledge of those uniforms and would like to help us make sure they are as authentic as possible, we would like to speak with you about that as well.
For any financial donations contributed to the project, your company will receive a professionally made commercial in return for your contributions. As well, we will make sure it is aired with Novus TV to give you a large amount of publicity.
If you are able to help, please contact us asap at
risingsunprojects@gmail.com.
You can also visit us at henrysglasses.wordpress.com
Thank you
Brendan Uegama
Director/Producer
Black Tree Pictures
Nicole G. Leier
Producer
Black Tree Pictures
Tashme Set Construction
Wood: To build walls and roofs for 6 shacks and 1 complete shack for Henry’s home. These shacks will be covered by tar paper.
Other Supplies: Tar paper to cover the shacks
Carpenters: Build the set of Tashme Camp in Sunshine Valley, BC
Other Volunteers: Help carpenters to build the set, help art director to dress the set.
Costume
Wardrobe: Sew 1940s costume for Henry’s Family, Mr. Yamamoto and Angler uniform.
Tailors: Work with the costume designer to create costumes for the actors.
Fabrics: Fabrics in dark colours (grey, brown, etc) and beige would be great on camera.
All individuals’ names will be credited appropriately and be seen on screen at various Film Festivals around the world!
