Center for Asian American Media

CONSCIENCE AND THE CONSTITUTION revisits the Japanese American internment experience to focus on 85 internees who refused to be drafted during World War II – an act of protest that resulted, not only in the largest trial for draft resistance in U.S. history, but also in ideological rifts within the Japanese American community that persist even today. At a time when community leaders strongly advocated for Japanese Americans to sign up with the armed forces to prove their loyalty to the U.S., the resisters refused to do so, knowing that they and their families had been stripped of their civil rights and incarcerated, solely on the basis of their race. Determined not to let the resisters’ travails be lost to history, filmmaker Frank Abe’s documentary brings them front and center, branding their courageous stand into our collective memory and as an inspiration for conscientious dissenters anywhere, anytime.

“An emotionally charged documentary – will probably have a major impact on the Japanese American community’s current debate over this hot-button issue.”

- Robert Ito, Independent Film and Video Monthly

“Incendiary – there’s no pulling at heartstrings or brow-beating here. There’s no need to, the material speaks for itself – guaranteed to raise controversy.”

- Allan de Souza, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film and Video Festival

Awards
Best Feature Film, Los Angeles Pacific Film and Video Festival
Best Feature Film, Vermont International Film Festival
Best Documentary, San Luis Obispo International Film Festival
Best Documentary, New York International Independent Film and Video Festival
Best Music Score, Emerald City Awards, Seattle

Recognition
National PBS Broadcast, Independent Lens
Hawaii International Film Festival
Ohio Independent Film Festival
Big Muddy Film Festival
Fukuoka Asian Film Festival, Japan
Singapore Film Festival, Fringe Fest
Athens International Film & Video Festival, Ohio

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