The Memories
of Others

Akihiko Okamura’s Ireland

20 min 7 sec
April, 2024
Documentary

A short documentary film uncovering Japanese photographer Akihiko Okamura’s extraordinary work in Ireland during the Troubles, and the artistic and emotional impact of its recent rediscovery. After a first trip in 1968 on JFK’s footsteps, Okamura moved to Ireland in 1969 with his family, and spent the next 15 years of his life photographing the north and the south of the island. Exploring his unique perspective as both an insider and an outsider, this short film offers a nuanced portrayal of the complexities and contradictions of human nature. Through interviews, archival footage, and Okamura’s own evocative photographs, we invite audiences to contemplate the universal themes of resilience, empathy, and the enduring quest for peace in the face of adversity. “The Memories of Others” is a testament to the power of visual storytelling in capturing the essence of human experiences amidst conflict. This film was made in collaboration with Photo Museum Ireland, Dublin, and the Akihiko Okamura Archive, Tokyo.

Trailer

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Creative Team

Pauline Vermare

French photography historian, author of a Ph.D. on the visual representation of Northern Ireland (2022), co-curator of “The Memories of Others” (PMI, April – June 2024)

Marc Lesser

New York based director, producer, director of photography and editor, founder of Lucky Tiger Productions.

Noah Avidan

New York based producer, director, editor and colorist working at Lucky Tiger Productions.

Featuring

Tom Burke

Irish scholar and documentary filmmaker, director of Shooting the Darkness (2019)

Anthony Haughey

Irish artist, writer and educator

Rihito Kimura

Professor of Bioethics and Law, close friend of Okamura’s

Trish Lambe

Creative Director of Photo Museum Ireland, Dublin, co-curator of “The Memories of Others” (PMI, April – June 2024)

Sean O'Hagan

Irish writer and photo critic, co-curator of “The Memories of Others” (PMI, April – June 2024)

Kusi Okamura

Irish writer, daughter of Akihiko Okamura

Masako Toda

Japanese photography historian, director of the Okamura Archive (Tokyo), co-curator of “The Memories of Others” (PMI, April – June 2024)

Tetsuo Toda

Former editor of the Japanese review Shinsei, close friend of Okamura’s, founder of the Akihiko Okamura Society

Soundtrack

Featuring music by Sam Perkin, Louth Contemporary Music Society, Mohoko Suzuki, Timothy Cramer, Donnacha Dennehy, Crash Ensemble, Maedhbh McCullagh, Kate Moore, the Gloaming, Julia Wolfe, Liam Clancy and Tommy Makem