Sept. 3 - Director Hisako Matsui's new film entitled "Leonie" explores the life of an early 20th century American educator, editor, and journalist. Leonie Gilmour, mother of the acclaimed Japanese-American artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi, refused to accept restrictions on the roles of educated women at the turn of the century. She chose instead to live life on her own terms.
The movie describes Leonie Gilmour's relationship with the Japanese poet Yone Noguchi. She edited his work and assisted him in publishing several best-selling novels in New York. They became lovers, but when Leonie became pregnant, Noguchi returned to Japan leaving her behind.
After giving birth to a son in Los Angeles, Leonie faced strong social disapproval as the unwed mother of a mixed-race son. For her son's sake, she eventually decided to move to Japan, where she lived for over a decade. Life in Meiji-era Japan, however, also presented challenges for a headstrong and independent American woman.
Ann and I both thought that the Meiji-era scenes, shown though a foreign woman's eyes, captured the wonder that we too experienced when we first arrived in Japan. We also thought Matsui drew upon her own experiences as a woman to portray Gilmour's triumph of spirit in overcoming gender stereotypes in both societies.
I hope many Japanese and American people will see Matsui's film about this early cross-cultural pioneer who served as a bridge between our cultures. Please let me know what you think after you see this outstanding film.
