The Cats of Mirikitani

The Cats of Mirikitani
Company type	Documentary film
Industry	Film
Founded	2006
Founder	Linda Hattendorf
Products	Documentary film

Synopsis

In 2001, filmmaker Linda Hattendorf encountered Jimmy Mirikitani (originally named Tsutomu Mirikitani), a Japanese American artist who was over 80 years old and experiencing homelessness in lower Manhattan. Following the events of September 11, Hattendorf discovered Mirikitani near a Korean grocery in Soho and invited him to stay at her apartment. This partnership facilitated his reconnection with his personal history, the retrieval of important documents, and reunification with family members including his cousin, poet Janice Mirikitani, and his sister. Additionally, she assisted him in obtaining assisted living arrangements.

The documentary delves into Mirikitani’s background, highlighting his experiences with the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, his artistic endeavors alongside notable artists such as Jackson Pollock, and his prolonged battle with homelessness in New York City. It follows his path from California to Hiroshima, through internment camps, then to Long Island, and ultimately New York City where he initially worked as a cook before losing his housing.

Hattendorf’s film emphasizes themes such as justice, loss, and redemption, garnering numerous accolades both in the United States and internationally. The "cats" mentioned in the title are a recurring motif in Mirikitani’s paintings.

In May 2007, The Cats of Mirikitani was broadcast on PBS as part of the Independent Lens series.

Mirikitani died on October 21, 2012, at the age of 92. Both director Hattendorf and collaborator Masa Yoshikawa were present at his passing.

Awards

Received the Audience Award at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival.
Awarded Best Picture in the Japanese Eyes category at the 2006 Tokyo International Film Festival.
Honored with the audience award at the 2007 Lyon Film Festival (Lyfe / Hors-Ecran).

External links