Ainu: Indigenous People of Japan Filming Locations

The Ainu are an indigenous people living in the northern part of Japan, especially on the island of Hokkaido. Being relatively autonomous until the 19th century, they suffered a strong pressure to "modernize" and to assimilate to the Japanese "national culture", starting with the era of the Meiji Restoration. Today, most younger Ainu have no relation to their ancestors' culture, and knowledge of the Ainu language is rare even among members of the elder generation. In her documentary, Naomi MIZOGUCHI depicts the manifold attempts of the Ainu today to regain and pass on their cultural identity.