Cocktail Party illustrates the complexity of life in Okinawa, an island in which the significant presence of American troops since the end of World War II factors into much of daily life. Based on over 10 years of research, the film focuses in on the rape of a young woman by a US Marine to highlight the deeply emotional, conflicted, and complex state of life in contemporary Okinawa. Regge Life, the film’s Director, has spent the last 25 years interacting with Japan and examining ways to improve US-Japan relations, enabling him to understand and capture elusive tensions and topics in this relationship. Educators, policymakers, and those interested in US-Japan relations should watch this film to deepen their understanding of the challenges facing Okinawa and the ways in which macro-level policies in the US and Japan impact lives on the ground.   

-David Janes

United States-Japan Foundation

I   realize what a difficult work that is to transpose to film and see the changes you've made. It was a wise decision on your part. I also appreciated the updating (post-1995) and the complication of race relations on the US side and ethnic relations on the Japanese/Okinawan side.  I am struck by the ambition of your film and grateful for this chance to view it and think about it.

 

Norma Field, Professor Emeritus University of Chicago