The Chiaki Kasai documentary Fists and Prayers (拳と祈り ー袴田巖の生涯ー) was named the Japan Documentary Film Award winner from the Japan Council of the University of Pittsburgh and SCREENSHOT: Asia. A screening of the film and a presentation of the award to director Kasai is scheduled for October 23 in Oakland.
The Japan Council of the University of Pittsburgh and SCREENSHOT: Asia are excited to announce the winner of our 4th biennial Japan Documentary Film Award. Congratulations to Chiaki Kasai and her film FISTS AND PRAYERS. FISTS AND PRAYERS explores the incarceration of ex-boxer Iwao Hakamada, who was unjustly sentenced to death for murder and suffered extreme mental anguish while on death row. FISTS AND PRAYERS is a fascinating examination of the physical toll of Japan's justice system and incarceration, as well as resilience of the human spirit.The event is scheduled for 7:00 pm at the Carnegie Museum of Art. THe JDFA's official site provides an overview of the award:
The Japan Council of the University of Pittsburgh and SCREENSHOT: ASIA invites submissions every two years for its Japan Documentary Film Award. This biennial prize is awarded to one exemplary documentary film promoting the understanding of Japan and Japanese culture. The documentary should tell us something interesting about Japan and/or speak to Japanese culture, history, social phenomena, practices, or events.The award is available to feature-length films from all countries, and in all languages.