Andrea Peek
I’m glad I saw this film even if I cried throughout. Scratch that. I’m glad I saw this film especiallybecause I cried throughout.This documentary follows the story of three brave women who were taken into sexual slaveryduring the Japanese Invasion throughout Asia in WWII by the Imperial Army.
Two hundred thousand young girls were kidnapped, often only 13 or 14 years old at the time, and taken from their homes andforced to be “comfort women” at “comfort stations”. It is now seven decades later and these bravevictims, now in their 80s and 90s, are asking the Japanese government for an apology forwartime sexual violence.
Some of these women would settle for an acknowledgement of what happened, some would settle for Japanese officials to simply stop shaming them and some are trying to summon the courage to share what happened with their families.
Heartbreaking and hope-encouraging, this fight for some justice takes these ladies all the wayfrom China, Korea, the Phillipines and Japan to the United Nations where they ask for help ingetting the Japanese government to take responsibility.Watching other women and family members strive to understand and empathize and supportthese women is a beautiful story about what can be healed and what can’t.
This is an important film by the National Film Board of Canada to watch, especially for those wanting a deeper understanding of why marching in protests and signing this petition is so important formany. A kind and thoughtful approach to how another part of the world struggles with the longaftereffects of war.As Grandma Gil eloquently states “It’s been so long and it is still not resolved. Please help usand thank you very much”.
The Apology plays during VFF atParkside on Feb 9th at 7pm.