Eiga Arts scandal

[Joss Winn]

>
>With Joss's consent, I'd like to translate his posting into Japanese and
>get some discussions going on other (Japanese language) mailing lists
>like People's Media Network. I admit a lot of the so-called "freedom of
>lifestyle" and "freedom of expression" here in urban Tokyo has a lot to
>do with apathy, rather than real support of people's rights. But at
>least here, holding a screening of documentaries won't threaten one's
>job. (I think.)
>



Hi Asako (and others),

Thanks for the words of encouragement and support.  Feel free to translate
my post.  I would like to add the following though as a kind of postscript:

I wrote the post out of frustration.  I was surprised that my showing of
the film was seen as so directly political by one or two people and I am
confused with the position I am trying to assume here in Saga.  I am
employed to engage in "grass-roots internationalisation", mainly through
language assistance but also through various local community events.  One
of those events I happen to organise myself: Eiga Arts.  It's now six
months old and has a regular audience  of about 40 people or so.  A good
number, I'm told, for experimental screenings. As I mentioned, my employers
have been supportive of Eiga Arts and even Saga  City Hall are lending me
projection equipment and have asked me to do a special Eiga Arts for a
festival coming up in October (although they have  asked to talk in detail
about the content of the films before anything is agreed).

I don't want my previous post to be read as if people here are totally
ignorant and close-minded.  I don't believe they are.  However, it's
certainly not Tokyo or even Fukuoka and it seems that a certain amount of
care has to be taken  when approaching sensitive issues.  More care than if
I were in my own country or the US (where I have also lived). As far as my
contract is concerned, it does state that I should not engage in religious
or political activities and I signed it and then forgot about it only to be
reminded of it again recently.  My job hasn't been threatened; more of a
vague warning in the form of a reminder of clause 24.  I'm as surprised as
you are.  However, I live in a small town of 8000 people next to Saga city,
in a very close community where my presence is felt by the entire town.
Living in this situation, I think it's very easy to shake things up without
really trying.  (My predecessor, a woman, was worried about having male
friends stay over her house because people would talk). On the whole, I'm
very grateful for the warm reception I've received in the town and have to
straddle the thin line between doing my own thing (I've a very urban,
fairly well travelled, outlook on things) and still being welcomed in my
town, repected by parents of children I teach and supported by my employers.

Of course, I have every intention of continuing what I am doing with Eiga
Arts.  It's very important to me and incidents like this are a valuable
learning experience and allow me to plan similar, future programes with
more integrity, confidence and understanding.

Best wishes and thanks again for all your support.  See you in Yamagata!!

Joss Winn

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Eiga Arts
1217 Shinden, Kubota-cho, Saga-gun, Saga-ken, 849-0203, Japan.

Tel. (81)-(0)-(952)68-4722	<edq39077 at saga-ed.go.jp>
Fax. (81)-(0)-(952)68-2989
Mobile. 090-7165-9998

	http://www.sirius.com/~sstark/org/eiga/eiga.html
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