Featuring
Tohoku Tomo is 60 minutes in length, with English Audio and Japanese subtitles. The film was released on March 12th, 2014 and features interviews with:
Cameron Peek
Canon Purdy
Brian, Jason, and Galileo
Etsuko Nakamura
Jane Suh
Kristine Miller and Jon Hoi
Luke Happle
Maynard Plant
Minami Ishikawa
Stu Levy
Takeno Suziki
Troy Weisner
The Great East Japan Earthquake
On March 11, 2011, while the rest of the world watched, much of the northern coast was washed away by the massive tsunami, triggered by a 9.0 earthquake.The tragedy was devastating to Tohoku, Japan, and the entire world. People lost loved ones, their homes, and even their way of life. Now, nearly three years later, while the world’s attention may have moved on, the people of Japan are still struggling to pull their communities back together.
The Story
In the months after the disaster, countless volunteers rallied from around the world and came to Japan’s aid to help begin the long process of rebuilding. Whether by donating money, organizing events, or coming to volunteer, these individuals showed they truly care about Japan and about the people of Tohoku.
This is their story.
The Film
In March 2013, Wesley Julian launched and successfully funded a Kickstarter campaign to create Tohoku Tomo — a documentary film telling the story of true friendship and commitment to Japan’s recovery by the international community following the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Julian and a small team traveled across the United States and Japan to interview individuals who have made and continue to make a difference in Tohoku.
Many of these people dropped what they were doing and dedicated themselves to Japan’s recovery. Many of them even took it upon themselves to establish non-profit organizations aimed at connecting with and rebuilding Tohoku and its communities. At the core of all of these organizations are individuals. Many of these groups were founded by members of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET Program). What started as a love of Japan through teaching blossomed into a true friendship and commitment to the Tohoku region. These founders and many other volunteers have truly become friends of Tohoku. They are, in Japanese, Tohoku Tomo.
The Team
- Wesley Julian – Producer/Director
- Daniel Martin – Associate Producer / Translation
- Elizabeth Gordon – Associate Producer / Screenwriter
- Philip Holbrook – Director of Photography