Film festival to pay special tribute to the Late Actor, Mako, May 6

Mako Iwamatsu

   In collaboration with the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles and the East West Players in Los Angeles, the VC Filmfest presents A Tribute to Mako Through Film, Remembrances & Pictures on Sunday, May 6 at 3 p.m. at Aratani/Japan America Theatre, 244 South San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.    

    Admission is Free , but tickets are required. Call the Aratani/Japan America Theatre Box Office, (213) 680-3700 to reserve your tickets. You can pick up tickets or have it held at will call.
    A tribute to the late Asian American pioneering actor, Mako, an "actor's actor" whose over 40-year career included a best Supporting Actor Academy Award & Golden Globe nomination for The Sand Pebbles (1966) and a Tony Award nomination for his Broadway debut as the Reciter in Pacific Overtures (1976). As a founding member of East West Players, he served as Artistic Director for 24 years.
 

    To honor this legendary artist, the program will be highlighted by a special screening of The Wash (1988) a film featuring one of his most memorable performances as a neglectful husband confounded by the changes of a dissolving marriage.

    The Wash is starring Mako, Nobu McCarthy, Patti Yasutake, Sab Shimono, Shizuko Hoshi; written by Philip Kan Gotanda; and directed by Michael Toshiyuki Uno.

     In addition to the film, the program will feature a panel discussion of Asian Pacific American writers, directors, actors and theater luminaries whose lives and careers were influenced by Mako. Confirmed panelists include: Janet Mitsui Brown, John Cho, Philip Kan Gotanda, David Henry Hwang, Robert A. Nakamura, Sumi Sevilla Haru, Moderator.

    A reception will follow and a memorabilia exhibit featuring mementos from his career will be on display in the JACCC North Gallery.

    The Aratani/Japan America Theatre Box Office is open Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m., and Sunday (performance days only), noon-5 p.m.

Sponsored by the Screen Actors Guild-Producers Industry Advancement and Cooperative Fund and The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles.
 

    Community Co-Presenters: Pacific Southwest Japanese American Citizen's League, Japanese American National Museum, Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, Lodestone Theatre Ensemble, Torrance Cultural Service Division.

    Established in 1983, VC Filmfest is Southern California's leading showcase for Asian Pacific American and Asian international cinema. This year, the eight-day movierama will also include a complement of filmmaker seminars and panel discussions, workshops, and filmmaker awards. The Festival will take place at   

the Directors Guild of America, Laemmle's Sunset 5 Theaters, National Center for the Preservation of Democracy/JANM, and the Aratani/Japan America Theatre.