Documentary Screening: Paper Lanterns

“Paper Lanterns” is the story of two of the 12 American airmen who died in the bombing of Hiroshima August 6, 1945, and the Japanese witness to the bombing who uncovered their stories. The film will be shown Aug. 12 at 1:30 pm as part of the free Second Saturday Documentary Series at Niles Discovery Church, 36600 Niles Blvd. at the corner of Nursery Ave.

Hundreds of thousands of Japanese died as a result of the atomic bombs dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As an eight year-old, Shegeaki Mori witnessed the destruction, and as an adult he wondered about the 12 U.S. prisoners of war who were anonymous. Believing these men were as worthy of remembrance as any of the victims, he began the decades-long research into who these men were.

“I believed at the very least the next of kin had to be informed,” Mr. Mori explained.

Barry Frechette’s film documents Mr. Mori’s quest for information and how he shared it with the families of Normand Brissette of Massachusetts and Ralph Neal of Kentucky, helping to bring closure and peace to everyone involved.

The film takes its title from the paper lanterns that are floated down the river in front of the Hiroshima Peace Museum every August 6th, symbolizing spirits departing this world for the next.

There will be a moderated discussion following the film. The Second Saturday Documentary Series is co-sponsored by Niles Discovery Church and the San Jose Peace & Justice Center. For more information, call 510 797-0895 or visit http://bit.ly/nilesssds.