Sonzai

Today, only fragments and memories remain of the once vibrant Nihonmachi or “Japantown,” located on the former site of the historic El Presidio de Santa Barbara. Sonzai tells the story of what happened to this community through oral history interviews and intriguing archaeological finds.

About the Director
Barre Fong is a fourth-generation Chinese American and San Francisco native. Barre’s activities as a filmmaker and community activist is an embodiment of his grandfather’s dream of preserving his own experience as a turn-of-the-century Chinese immigrant. He has produced and directed short films about the Asian American experience since 2013. His 2019 film, “Finding the Virgo,” is currently available on PBS stations across the country.

Plays in

Rooted in History

ROOTED IN HISTORY features three short documentary films focusing on a blooming rose, a Japanese garden and the…