Despite a smaller turnout than last year, the fifth annual Japanese Movies at the Crest Film Festival had a great turnout this weekend at the two-day event.

The festivities were kicked off with a showing of Love and Honor on Friday evening. The winner of three Japanese Academy Awards in 2007, the film pleased the audience with a drama about two samurais that go head-to-head.

Saturday's lineup opened with a black-and-white docu-drama filmed in 1951, Go for Broke!, which stars actual Nisei (second generation Japanese-American) soldiers from World War II.

At intermission, Nisei war veteran James Iso took the stage to give commentary about both the movie and his own experiences during the war.

"Our numbers are diminishing monthly, yearly--but our memories stay strong," said Iso.

The impressive film shows the rarely-told story of the Japanese-American soldiers that made up the 442nd Regimental Combat unit. While they initially had skepticism from their American counterparts, the Nisei became the true heroes of a five-day battle in France after saving the lives of 211 men of the Texas National Guard. The Congressional Medal of Honor was given to 21 of the men from the unit and they received the most Purple Hearts in U.S. military history.

Iso said that the film, which included difficult-to-swallow scenes where the Japanese soldiers were called racist names by the American soldiers, was very reflective of what he himself had gone through. Iso also stressed that the soldiers of the infantry should continue to be commended and remembered always for their heroism.

"We've had among our Nisei outstanding heroes and we don't want to forget our fallen soldiers," Iso continued.

As the audience spilled into the foyer after the film, many could be heard discussing stories told within their own families, and it was an echoed sentiment that many Japanese-American war veterans did not discuss this battle often.

"Mr. Iso has the valid concern that the full story of the Nisei's tremendous contribution in WWII will be lost.  So many of his friends and colleagues are no longer alive," said Barbara Kado, a member of the Japanese United Methodist Church (SJUMC) and a main coordinator for the event. 

The Japanese Movies at the Crest has an overall goal of cultural outreach, and funds raised from ticket sales will go toward the SJUMC's adult literacy program and the South Sacramento Interfaith Partnership Food Closet.

"It’s a great way for everyone to experience Japanese culture--new and old generations," said Miguel Cruz, who attended the second day of the festival.

Go for Broke! was followed by three other feature films throughout the day, including a PBS World War II documentary, Most Honorable Son; an award-winning anime, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time; and English-subtitled 2007 Cannes Film Festival award-winner A Stranger of Mine.

Contributing to the event's success was the financial support received from various community organizations, including Ravel Rasmussen Properties, Folsom's Gekkeikan Sake, Inc., Capital Public Radio, and East Lawn Cemetaries. Individual donations were also made by various community members and businesses.

Local businesses from around the area donated favors that were handed out to ticket holders including pens from Tops Pen Co. and SpareTheAir.com, recyclable shopping bags from Oto's market, dog tags from CalVet and items from Kotobuki Trading.

For more information about upcoming events put on the SJUMC, visit sacjumc.com.