About this project
UPDATE: We set our project goal at $10,000 to make sure we'd have the minimum to cover our final post-production expenses, and are thrilled to have reached that goal in only 10 days. We are now raising an additional $10,000 for distribution of the film: HD master tapes, DVDs, digital downloads, film festival submissions, publicity materials and outreach. As well, raising a total of $20,000 would allow us to create additional web shorts about John Roderick's amazing life and career, and Yoshihiro Takishita's work as an architect and the making of minkas.
What is MINKA? MINKA is a short documentary film about a remarkable Japanese farmhouse and the memories it contains. In 1967, an American journalist and his adopted Japanese son rescued the ancient house from the snow country of Japan, and their lives were forever changed. MINKA is an intimate story about place, architecture, memory and the meaning of home.
The Story behind the Film: I was inspired to make this film when I read "Minka: My Farmhouse In Japan," the memoir of retired AP foreign correspondent John Roderick. Moved by the story of this amazing house and Roderick's memories of his life in it, I contacted him and began work on a documentary.
What's the status of the film? MINKA is almost done! Production was funded by the Graham Foundation and we now have a fine cut, which we've been submitting to film festivals with the goal of having our first public screenings in winter or spring of 2011. This project has been a labor of love for the last three years and my producer and I are thrilled to be so close to finished. With your help, we can complete the film in time for our first public screenings.
What's next? Our next steps are technical, and costly. I've shot and edited most of the film myself, and now it's time to bring in some outside experts who can help us get the film ready for public viewing. The money we are raising here will go directly to post-production finishing costs - sound editing & mixing, color correction & online editing, graphics, and music composition.
How can I help? If you like our trailer, please consider making a pledge to this project. No amount is too small! You can also help by posting this link on your Facebook page, Twitter feed, and emailing it to any friends or colleagues who you think might be interested in a film about architecture, Japan, and home.
Thanks for visiting our page.
Davina Pardo
To read more about the journalist and architect you'll meet in the film:
John Roderick, AP journalist and his memoir MINKA: My Farmhouse in Japan
Yoshihiro Takishita, architect and his book Japanese Country Style
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
205
Backers
$20,281
pledged of $10,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on December 1, 2010.
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
Your name on the film's website and two magnets featuring MINKA production stills. (Postage included in the U.S. and Canada only.)
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
Your name on the film's website + a digital download of the film.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Your name on the film's website + a DVD or download of the film + a copy of John Roderick's memoir "Minka: My Farmhouse in Japan."
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
Your name on the film's website + a DVD or download of the completed film + a copy of John Roderick's memoir "Minka: My Farmhouse in Japan" + a signed copy of "Japanese Country Style," Yoshihiro Takishita's book about Japanese farmhouses.
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
Your name in the completed film's credits (special thanks) + DVD or download of the film + a copy of John Roderick's memoir "Minka: My Farmhouse in Japan" + a signed copy of "Japanese Country Style," Yoshihiro Takishita's book about Japanese farmhouses.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
An associate producer credit on the film + all of the above.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
A Japan trip planning phone consultation with Peter Grilli, renowned Japanese cultural expert & President of the Japan Society of Boston + all of the above.
Pledge $1,500 or more Pledge $1,500 or more
A private tour of John Roderick and Yoshihiro Takishita's Minka in Kamakura, Japan (travel costs not included) + all of the above.
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
An executive producer credit on the film + all of the above.
Pledge $10,000 or more Pledge $10,000 or more
Round trip airfare from NYC-Tokyo and hotel (contact us for details) + all of the above.
Project By
Has not connected their Facebook account.
Davina Pardo is a filmmaker whose award-winning documentary shorts BIRDLINGS TWO and YESTERDAY IN RWANDA have screened at festivals throughout the U.S. and Canada, including Toronto International Film Festival, Slamdance, Tribeca, and Silverdocs. Davina associate produced the Academy Award-winning documentary FREEHELD and is a freelance director/producer for corporate & non-profit clients. For more information contact davina@birdlings.com.
