Out of the Dust is told through ghosts of Manzanar Detention Camp who come to life through the poetry of Janice Mirikitani, the music of Miles Lassi and Paul Chihara, and the Japanese American folk dance “Ei Ja Nai Ka” (meaning “Ain’t it good?”) choreographed and composed by PJ Hirabayashi. After the closing of the camps, who and what memories were left behind in the windy dust-laden desert of Manzanar? 

Cast:

Erik Debono, Farmer (duet)

PJ Hirabayashi, Spirit Guide

Mimi Jacobsen, Lost Child

Yayoi Kambara, Woman with Comb

Momoe Luce Kambara-Coughlin, Child 

Kaia Makihara, Baseball Player

Maile Okamura, Seamstress

Lani Yamanaka, Farmer (duet)

Mark Yamanaka, Doctor

CREW:

Co-Created by Yayoi Kambara and Brian Staufenbiel 

Directed by Brian Staufenbiel

Choreography by Yayoi Kambara and Cast 

Sound Design and Original Music by Miles Lassi

Poetry written and read by Janice Mirikitani

Ei Ja Nai Ka Obon Dance Choreography by PJ Hirabayashi, Music and Lyrics written in collaboration with Yoko Fujimoto and Nobuko Miyamoto

Creative Producer - Courtney Ozaki (Japanese Arts Network)

Costume Coordination - Maile Okamura 

Hair and Makeup Design - Jenny-King Turko

Costume Tailor - Annette Ribeiro 

Film Editor - Sam Clevenger 

Lead Camera Operator - Jeffrey Gass

Second Camera / Steadicam Operator - Jonathan Takenaka

Assistant Camera Operator / Focus Puller - Yoshiki Abe

Special thanks to Manzanar National Historic Preservation Site and Christine Holtslander, Alisa Lynch Broch, Roger Myoroku, and David Murakami.

Out of the Dust Film Screenings

Georgia Tech Arts - 二度と(NI DO TO): an XR pilgrimage

Atlanta, Georgia

October, 2023

San Francisco Dance Film Festival (Bay Area Shorts)

San Francisco, California

September 20, 2024

ADF Movies by Makers (online screening)

Durham, North Carolina

November 1, 2024

San Francisco Public Libraries

Western Addition Branch - May 25, 2024

Golden Gate Valley Branch - May 25, 2024

Sunset Branch - June 8, 2024

Final Bow for Yellowface Showcase

Kennedy Center, Washington DC

June 14, 2024

Nichi Bei Foundation 14th Annual Films of Remembrance

San Jose, California

February 23, 2025

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF)

Los Angeles, California

May 4, 2025

Japanese American Museum San Jose

San Jose, California

April 19 - July 13, 2025