One Big Hapa Family is a 2010 documentary-style film that explores the mixed-race Japanese-Canadian identity through the lens of one family's experience. The film is directed by Jeff Chiba Stearns and produced by Joe Media Group Inc. The title of the film, 'Hapa', is a Hawaiian word used to refer to people of mixed Asian and Pacific Islander heritage. However, it has been widely adopted to denote people of any mixed-race heritage.
The movie follows the Bradford family, a Japanese-Canadian family living in Vancouver, as they explore their multi-ethnic identity and reflect on their family history. The family consists of Candace, Geri, and Jordan Bradford, who are siblings, and their mother May Hamanishi. The father of the family, Roy Bradford, passed away in 1986.
The movie begins with the family traveling to Hilo, Hawaii, to participate in a family reunion with the Hamanashi side of the family. The reunion provides the film's framework as the family travels back and forth between Hawaii and Vancouver, exploring their past and present.
The director, Jeff Chiba Stearns, blends the film with a mix of personal interviews, archival footage, and animation to create a dynamic and engaging documentary. The animation sequences in the movie are outstanding, depicting the family's memories and emotions in a creative way. The film's beautiful score also complements these animations well, setting an atmosphere of nostalgia and longing.
Throughout the movie, the family members share thoughtful insights on their individual experiences, from growing up in a diverse community to feeling the weight of family expectations. They discuss the concept of 'hapa,' and what it means to them personally. Candace admires the sense of pride and belonging that comes with being part of a community with mixed-race heritage. Geri, on the other hand, feels that being 'hapa' does not have one central definition, and that it means different things to different people.
The family also reflects on their parents' experience during World War II. May Hamanashi was interned at an internment camp during the war, and her husband Roy Bradford was among the many Japanese-Canadian soldiers sent to fight in Europe. These experiences had a long-lasting impact on their lives, and their children's lives.
Overall, One Big Hapa Family is an insightful and touching documentary. It manages to explore the complexities of mixed-race identity while still maintaining a light and enjoyable feel. The animation sequences and score adds to the film's overall charm, making it an excellent experience to watch. The story of the Bradford family is a personal reminder of the beauty and challenges of creating identity, especially within the context of family ties and cultural traditions.
One Big Hapa Family is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.7.
