Through intimate conversations over old photobooks and home movies from the 1930s, sansedai (三世代) explores themes of identity and belonging as it follows the filmmaker’s 92-year-old grandmother’s journey growing up during war, migrating to a country that was once deemed an enemy, and what it means to be Japanese-American.

Director’s Statement:
As a self-taught filmmaker, I was always drawn to the power of visual storytelling and fell in love with the medium of film. Shortly after graduating college, I took a leap of faith and moved to NYC to immerse myself in the film community. Now years later, I’ve worked my way up through the camera department in both NYC & LA and I am proud to share my first documentary short film, sansedai (three generations).

This film shares the very personal story of my grandmother growing up during the war in Japan before moving to the US in the 1950s amidst heightened racial tensions, especially towards Japanese people. My grandmother’s wedding kimono connects all three generations and tethers me to my ancestral heritage as I try to define what being Japanese-American means to me.

This timely documentary illuminates the lasting impacts of war and imperialism while sharing a first hand account of the uncertainties of migrating to a new country. As a proud granddaughter of immigrants, I hope this film resonates across generations and cultures as we continue to see the humanity in others.

Written and directed by KAYLI KIMURA.