“Shikata Ga Nai,” a Japanese phrase that means, “It cannot be helped,” is also the title of a feature length independent movie that will be shown at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, at the Palace Theater.
The film was produced by Yellow Brick Studio in association with Wicked Gecko Productions, the Nisei Veterans Legacy and Scott Ward. It is a story about the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of WWII, but told from a perspective that has never been depicted before — that many of the surviving 442 veterans were never able to share their stories of what happened to them during the war.
It follows a retired Honolulu man, Tatsuo “Tats” Kaneshiro, a WWII Nisei veteran and member of the famed 442nd RCT, who in 1999 has visions of a young German soldier which recalls an incident from the war that haunts him still.
Unsure if what he sees has more to do with hallucinations he may be experiencing due to the possible onset of Parkinson’s Disease, or are in fact appearances from a spirit that visits him from his past, Tats proceeds with his daily life of living with his recently divorced daughter, Lynn Matsuda, her reclusive son (and Tats’ grandson), Ryan Matsuda, and occasional visits by his friend, fellow 442 veteran Seichi Mochizuki. Their lives are turned upside down when Lynn starts dating Ryan’s teacher and 442 historical enthusiast, Shawn Saiki. Tats’ increasing visions, coupled with the insistence of Shawn that he should talk about his 442 war experience not only for legacy purposes but to release his apparent feelings of guilt, finally cause Tats to tell the story of what happened to the young German soldier and what it has meant to him.
“Shikata Ga Nai” was written and directed by Eric Nemoto, owner of Yellow Brick Studio and founder of the Honolulu community theatre, TAG — The Actors’ Group.
It was filmed and edited by Denny Hironaga, with post-audio sound by Mark J. Bush, with music composed by Michael K.D.H. Chung. It stars some of Hawaii’s finest actors, including many who have often graced the stage of Kumu Kahua Theatre on Oahu. These include Dann Seki as Tats, Denise-Aiko Chinen as Lynn, Devon Nekoba as Shawn, Seth Okumura as Ryan, and Allan Okubo as Seichi.
The doors open at 12:30 p.m. There will be a short video on the making of the film and a Q&A session after the film with Nemoto and Okubo.
The Palace Theater is located at 38 Haili St. in Hilo.
The cost for attendance is $10, and tickets can be obtained at the following link: hilopalace.com/hpt_event/shikata-ga-nai/.
Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Phone: (808) 934-7010.
