Center for Asian American Media

During the 1970s when Asians in America were invisible to the country -- and more importantly even to themselves -- the late Chris Iijima's music provided the voice and identity an entire generation had been in search of. Through animated photographs, intimate home movies, archival footage and Chris' own songs, A SONG FOR OURSELVES shows how Chris' music unleashed the contagious energy of the Asian American Movement with an unrelenting passion for social justice and a life well lived.

SPECIAL FEATURES on the DVD include 'Farewell Chris: Los Angeles Memorial,' 'Mother of the Movement: Kazu Iijima,' Chris Iijima extended interview and additional photos and music.

This film was made possible in part by grants from the Center for Asian American Media, Nathan Cummings Foundation, Ford Foundation and California Civil Liberties Public Education Program with additional support from the UCLA Alumni and Friends of Japanese Ancestry Endowed Chair and UCLA Asian American Studies Center.

A SONG FOR OURSELVES is a production of the Downtown Community Media Center, a partnership of the Little Tokyo Service Center and the UCLA Asian American Studies Center's Center for EthnoCommunications.

"This film immortalizes Chris' inspiring songs that have been and will continue to be sung by generations of activists young and old."

- Yuri Kochiyama, Activist

"With A SONG FOR OURSELVES, Nakamura is no longer a 'fresh up-and-coming voice' but a force to be reckoned with."

- Spencer Nakasako, Emmy-award winning filmmaker

Recognition
San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival

College/Institution

K-12/Public Library/Community Group