おやすみ (OYASUMI)
A collection of Japanese Canadian short films that screened at The Cinematheque on May 25th, 2023
おやすみ (oyasumi)—or “goodnight” in Japanese—is often the last thing you hear before you close your eyes and drift off into darkness. おやすみ stems from the verb 休む (yasumu), which means “to take a break” or “to be absent.” It implies a moment of rest, a moment to pause, a moment when no one is there. This program brings together 12 short films that demonstrate the many definitions of おやすみ while highlighting the past 30 years of Japanese Canadian filmmaking. This collection (not a retrospective!) reveals stories of intergenerational memories, unspoken histories, and the process of healing. Although bittersweet in their themes, there is a comfort in these films coming together—like a kiss on the forehead as you fall asleep.
Curated by Natalie Murao
Produced in collaboration with Powell Street Festival Society and The Cinematheque