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Mission Statement

A story about the loss and preservation of bicultural identity, reflecting on our past selves to remember what we’re capable of, and looking toward our inner child for inspiration.

The Story

When 30 year old half-Japanese graphic designer, Juna, flies home for the first time in ten years to celebrate Japanese new year, she wakes up the next morning to her 16 year old self at the foot of her bed. Juna is’nt sure what compelled her to visit home; her life has been lackluster, and she’s felt lost on where to go next in her career. In contrast, her younger-self is quite the opposite: she’s spunky, idealistic, confident and still has that fiery passion for making music and art. Although startled and confused at first by the appearance of her younger-self, Juna entertains this reality. Over the course of a few days the two women learn, or rather, remind one another about what it means to come of age.

Okaeri is a film about the loss and preservation of identity, and reminding ourselves of our capabilities. Although it is a film where being bi-racial is a focal point, I hope that the sentiment resonates with people from all walks of life. Through quiet and sweeping imagery inspired by films from Drive My Car, The Farewell, and Janet Planet, Okaeri will force the viewer to linger with our characters and the spaces they occupy, reminding us all to think of our younger selves for inspiration and resilience.