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[Home Movies of Rohwer / circa 1944 – 1945]
Maker
Mr. Frank Kamiyama
(1886 - 1974)
Dateca. 1944-1945
Mediumacetate (?)
DimensionsFilm Format: 8.00 mm
ClassificationsMoving Images
Credit LineGift of Kerry Yo Nakagawa
Object number2001.71.1
DescriptionBlack and white home movie footage of the Rohwer concentration camp, filmed by Frank Kamiyama, circa 1944-1945. The footage shows festival games and activities, people posing and joking around, and the process of a large group photography session (possibly to mark the closure of Rohwer, or of individuals leaving).
Timecode list:
0:31 – Woman walking down paths in front of barracks in Rohwer.
0:34 – Women and children playing croquet between barracks.
0:46 – Barracks views.
0:51 – Koi nobori (carp) flags flying over barracks. Camera pans to see ‘Mess 39’ sign (block 39 mess hall).
1:02 – People walking between barracks.
1:11 – Large group assembled to take posed group photograph (possibly block-wide). One man waves at the camera; at least one man in military uniform. Camera pans across children making faces.
1:47 – Sign in Japanese (saraba ‘sentaa’ = farewell “center” = camp closing). Camera continues to pan over group.
1:55 – Photographer setting up camera for group photo.
1:57 – People walking in common areas between barracks. Young man (A) in uniform points at the camera and poses with a young woman (B) in a blouse with a Peter Pan collar.
2:07 – Older man and woman pose for the camera.
2:13 – Same young people (A,B) from 1:57 goofing off with another young woman in a sweater (C).
2:24 – Young people (A,B,C), older woman, and older man posing and talking in front of barracks.
2:39 – Group of men playing a bowling game at a makeshift carnival booth.
2:41 – Women sitting on a bench watching games; one woman is knitting a sock. Men milling around.
2:56 – Children running a race in an outdoor area marked by streamers.
3:06 – Closeup of men and women at the carnival area; a painted banner and washtubs of soda bottles are visible. Older woman (from 2:07) poses playfully for the camera.
3:24 – Group of children cluster around a table. A [shaved ice? ice cream?] machine is visible.
3:33 – Older man (possibly from 2:07) tosses a game token while other men look on.
3:37 – Quick short views of various people at the outdoor carnival.
4:05 – Close up of woman with young child on her lap; waving at the camera.
4:11 – Bowling game where “pins” are cartoonishly painted wooden cutouts of Black people.
4:18 – People milling around at the carnival; eating ice cream.
4:44 – Painted banner of cartoon people eating, with Japanese (“osushi”) and English (“ice cream”) writing.
4:48 – Film ends.
Home movie by Frank Kamiyama of Rohwer, Arkansas. One of two reels (2001.71.1 and 2001.71.2). Label on reel appears to read "Rohwer Ark" in blue ink on fabric label. Label on film development box: From: K. Kamiyama, 477 Deming Pl., Chicago 14. Illinois. Postmarked July 13, 1953. Labeled as developed in August 1954.
Timecode list:
0:31 – Woman walking down paths in front of barracks in Rohwer.
0:34 – Women and children playing croquet between barracks.
0:46 – Barracks views.
0:51 – Koi nobori (carp) flags flying over barracks. Camera pans to see ‘Mess 39’ sign (block 39 mess hall).
1:02 – People walking between barracks.
1:11 – Large group assembled to take posed group photograph (possibly block-wide). One man waves at the camera; at least one man in military uniform. Camera pans across children making faces.
1:47 – Sign in Japanese (saraba ‘sentaa’ = farewell “center” = camp closing). Camera continues to pan over group.
1:55 – Photographer setting up camera for group photo.
1:57 – People walking in common areas between barracks. Young man (A) in uniform points at the camera and poses with a young woman (B) in a blouse with a Peter Pan collar.
2:07 – Older man and woman pose for the camera.
2:13 – Same young people (A,B) from 1:57 goofing off with another young woman in a sweater (C).
2:24 – Young people (A,B,C), older woman, and older man posing and talking in front of barracks.
2:39 – Group of men playing a bowling game at a makeshift carnival booth.
2:41 – Women sitting on a bench watching games; one woman is knitting a sock. Men milling around.
2:56 – Children running a race in an outdoor area marked by streamers.
3:06 – Closeup of men and women at the carnival area; a painted banner and washtubs of soda bottles are visible. Older woman (from 2:07) poses playfully for the camera.
3:24 – Group of children cluster around a table. A [shaved ice? ice cream?] machine is visible.
3:33 – Older man (possibly from 2:07) tosses a game token while other men look on.
3:37 – Quick short views of various people at the outdoor carnival.
4:05 – Close up of woman with young child on her lap; waving at the camera.
4:11 – Bowling game where “pins” are cartoonishly painted wooden cutouts of Black people.
4:18 – People milling around at the carnival; eating ice cream.
4:44 – Painted banner of cartoon people eating, with Japanese (“osushi”) and English (“ice cream”) writing.
4:48 – Film ends.
Home movie by Frank Kamiyama of Rohwer, Arkansas. One of two reels (2001.71.1 and 2001.71.2). Label on reel appears to read "Rohwer Ark" in blue ink on fabric label. Label on film development box: From: K. Kamiyama, 477 Deming Pl., Chicago 14. Illinois. Postmarked July 13, 1953. Labeled as developed in August 1954.
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