Each of us has a personal story regarding forgiveness, whether it be asking for it, or having the courage to give it. Forgive-Don't Forget attempts to examine that theme as it relates to the dynamic between Japan and America since World War II. When Japan surrendered to the U.S. in 1945, numerous swords--powerful symbols of both honor and aggression--were taken from the Japanese soldiers and turned over to American officers stationed in the Pacific where the weapons were then sent to the states. Almost 70 years later, do you think family members of the men who owned these swords would want them back? What would returning them mean, both to the families in Japan and America? Even more, should these swords be given back at all? Journey with us as we attempt to give a voice to the story of one Japanese sword in particular, a story we hope will give us all of us a better understanding of forgiveness.

   私たち一人一人は、許すということについて（それが許してもらうことでも、勇敢に許すということでも）個人的に経験があると思います。

この”Forgive-Don’t Forget”(日本語訳：忘れずに許す)は、第二次世界大戦のときの日本とアメリカの原動力と関係する、そのテーマについて吟味する為につくられました。

1954年、日本がアメリカに降伏したとき、おびただしい数の軍刀—名誉と攻撃、両方の象徴—　が日本兵から採集され、それらはアメリカに武器を送っていた太平洋地域に駐留するアメリカ人将校に引き渡されました。およそ７０年後、これらの軍刀を所有していた方々の家族は、その軍刀が戻ってくることを望んだでしょうか？軍刀が戻ってくることは、アメリカと日本にいる両方の家族にどのような意味をもたらすでしょうか？それよりも、これらの剣は持ち主の元へ戻るべきでしょうか？

このストーリーが私たち全員に、許すことへのよりよい理解を与えてくれることを願いつつ、私たちと一緒にこの一本の日本刀の話を伝える旅に出てください。

Why we need your pledge and support:

• Traveling to Japan with a three man production crew for 2-4 weeks
• Traveling to Alabama, San Diego, and Los Angeles for a week
• Licensing archive film footage & music
• Color correction & sound mixing
• DVD/Blu-ray replication
• Film festival submissions
• Paying production team(animators, sound/field recordist,translator) 

YouTube sensation Kailene Danae plugs FDF!

ABC 13 NEWS features our documentary story 

Meet our team.

Paul Ufema- During Paul's senior year in college he was activated into the U.S. Army and sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; it was there he was introduced to video journalism. After returning to the U.S., was hired by a local ABC affiliate, and then landed a job as a Production Assistant with the Discovery Channel. Out of that came Ufema Productions, which specializes in non-profit films. Five years later, Paul shared an idea about returning his grandfather's sword with Brad Bennett. Ufema currently resides in Virginia with his wife and three kids.

Brad Bennett- Having spent most of his later teen years as a video freelancer, Brad is now a seasoned video producer with a passion for telling stories through the medium of film. He is the owner of Shaking Hands Productions, LLC, an award winning video production company in Virginia. Brad has a direct link to this documentary, as he himself is a quarter Japanese. He also serves as the DP for this documentary, as well as a contributing video editor.

Jonah Guelzo- Jonah has worked for and collaborated with many production companies across the East Coast, working on numerous short films, indie features, documentaries, as well as commercial productions for local, regional, and national levels. Jonah currently resides in Los Angeles attending a post production school specializing in Audio Engineering. Jonah serves as our field sound recordist and technical supervisor for this project.

Won Novalis- Won started his career doing freelance video work in college, eventually discovering that he had a passion for bringing stories to life by crafting and polishing final edits.  After graduating, he co-founded Abandon Films, an award-winning production company in Central Virginia that works with clients nationwide.  Won has experience as a post-production supervisor, DIT, online & offline editor, and colorist.  He has worked on numerous commercial and independent shorts, documentaries, promotional videos, and feature films. Won served as the Online Editor and Colorist for FDF Trailer.

Our AMAZING incentives:

We have worked so hard to offer you some awesome incentives in exchange for your support. Please take a moment to see all that we are offering, and if you believe in our project...please become a supporter!

Remember this is an ALL OR NOTHING funding campaign, so every pledge counts!

Thank you so much for your support!

私たちは、皆様に、皆様のサポートと引き換えにいくつかの御礼品を提供するため、懸命に取り組んできました。私たちがご提供させていただいている物を少しの間見ていただけたらと思います。そして、私たちのプロジェクトに賛同していただけるようでしたら、ぜひ私たちのサポーターになってください！ 

このプロジェクトは皆様のご支援によって、運営されています。皆様のご協力をよろしくお願いします。
皆様のご支援、本当にありがとうございます！

Premiere incentives:

Taryn Möller Nicoll was born and raised in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. After immigrating to the United States of America, she received a scholarship to Otis College of Art and Design and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting. In addition, she holds Associate of Art degrees in Art, Illustration, Graphic Design, Multimedia and Liberal Arts.

We were so thrilled when Taryn offered her time and talents to our project by creating this classic piece of art seen below. There will only be one spot available in this incentive category, as we are giving away the original art piece.

Adam Barnes is an immensely gifted photographer who took the original photos seen in our exclusive photo book as well as the original polaroids of these swords seen below. We are only offering two available spots for this incentive category. You are guaranteed at least two original polaroids in a matted frame(signed by the Director, Producer, and Photographer of the polaroids)with one of the original polaroids being the actual sword that we are giving back to the Japanese family.

We are almost there...

もうそこまで来ています…!

譲り渡された日本刀を本来の持ち主の元へ返すという、この驚くべきストーリーの続きを伝えるためには、皆様のご協力が必要です。

私たちのこのドキュメンタリーを、ソーシャルメディアを通しても広げていただければ幸いです。

http://youtu.be/y-1tUrBuuWI

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