Final NHS Japanese Film Showing Slated For April 12

By Eliza Hallabeck

It started as one student’s attempt to help bring cultural awareness opportunities to Newtown High School.

After connecting with the Newtown International Center for Education (NICE) Japan Project Team, NHS junior Eric Song had fully formulated his plan.

Since December, a series of Japanese films have been shown at NHS free for community members. Eric compiled the list of movies to show after consulting with his father, Allan Song.

The movies, Eric explained in December, where set to be shown in a time order that would document Japan’s history.

“I truly believe that the festival succeeded in offering cultural awareness to our community,” Eric said this week.

The last film in the series, Shall We Dance?, is set to be shown next Thursday, April 12, in the NHS cafetorium, at 6:30 pm. According to a flyer for the event, snacks will be available for moviegoers, and donations will be accepted during the event to help benefit further cultural learning experiences for NHS students.

“So far I have been very pleased with how the festival has turned out,” Eric said. “Each film brought with it a different kind of audience attending, so everyone benefited, found something to take away from each film.”

Shall We Dance? follows the story of a Japanese accountant who signs to take ballroom dance lessons in search of happiness.

The film series began on December 15, with the showing of Seven Samurai, and has continued until this month.

“The festival developed very nicely and I am glad to have had a role in creating something so rewarding for everyone,” Eric said. “I am also thankful for the support [NHS Assistant Principal and NICE Coordinator Jason Hiruo] and NICE gave the festival and we all look forward to possibly hosting another festival sometime in the future.”