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A taste of Japan in America

On this side of the planet – the Western Hemisphere – Japan has been perceived as a mysterious, yet fascinating place.

Immigration made possible the formation of Japanese communities in Latin America and in the U.S.

The immigrants carried with them their culture and their perspective of life. Cultural expressions as diverse as gardening, the tea ceremony, poetry (Haiku), drumming (Taiko), flowers arrangement and of course the exquisite Japanese culinary.

"A Taste of Japan in America," a short documentary (5:15 min.) focuses on the Cherry Blossom Festival that takes place annually in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

The festivity is an opportunity for the local community (in the Lehigh Valley, distant 70 miles from New York City) to admire the vivid colors of the ephemeral flowers, as well as to experience a few aspects of the rich Japanese culture.

  • Jesus Zaldivar
    Director
    Farewell Dad, Keep moving, you're in New York, There is no place like home, The colors of Bushwick's streets.
  • Jesus Zaldivar
    Producer
    Farewell Dad, Keep moving, you're in New York, There is no place like home, The colors of Bushwick's streets.
  • Jesus Zaldivar
    Writer
    Farewell Dad, Keep moving, you're in New York, There is no place like home, The colors of Bushwick's streets.
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 15 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 27, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    50 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Allentown Film Festival
    Allentown, PA
    United States
    April 6, 2024
    World Premiere
    Selection, Lehigh Valley Filmmaker Short 1-5 minutes
Director Biography - Jesus Zaldivar

Born in Paraguay, South America, moved to Brazil and then migrated to the United States.

The nature of my job - scientific research - made me move to six states of the country as well as Europe.

Now I dedicate myself to filmmaking. Artistic expression has always been deep inside me.

To produce my short films, I use what it's already available to me: my iPhone, an editing software - Final Cut Pro - and a couple of accessories.

So, I go around and capture what happens in my surrounding.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I like to say that my life has two chapters.

Chapter I – purposely ended – meant exhausting hours in Biotech research laboratories for many years.

Chapter II is here now. An exciting time: a student again and making low-budget, short films. I utilize what I already have: a smartphone (with a few filmmaking accessories), life experience and curiosity, to dive right into some distressing societal and human interest issues