KICKSTARTER

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