Abstract:

"Once Upon a Camp is an educational video series that teaches students of all ages about the life-long lessons of the unjust incarceration of Japanese Americans by the U.S. government during WWII. Each video is augmented with a teacher's guide. A collaborative project of the Japanese American National Museum with the UCLA Asian American Studies Center in conjunction with the Alhambra School District, the series was created and produced by the National Museum's Media Arts Center. Funding was provided by a grant from the California Civil Liberties Public Education Program with additional support from the Nathan Cummings Foundation. Interactions (video) Created by Julie Asato, Justin Lin and Daric Loo. Directed & edited by Justin Lin. Chronicles four high school students as they are given four days to tackle one mission: to find out what life was like for teenagers in camp during World War II. Equipped with a phone and a computer, Kiet, Christina, Miguel and Lluvia embark on a surprisingly emotional journey as they talk to former camp inmates, explore the ruins of an actual camp an ask themselves, “What would I have done?” and “Could this happen to me?” Suggested grades: 9-12. 33 min. Color VHS AWARDS: 34th Annual Worldfest Houston, Gold Award, Historical, 2001; The Videographer Awards, Award of Excellence, Educational Institution/Grades K-12, 2001; Columbus International Film & Video Festival, Chris Statuette (1st Place), 2000; Aurora Awards, Platinum Best of Show, 2000"