Mitsuye and Nellie (1981)

This double portrait of two poets -- one Japanese-American, the other Chinese-American -- addresses the shared bicultural experiences and generational conflicts between mothers and daughters of Asian American descent. Through the family history and moving poetry of Mitsuye Yamada and Nellie Wong, the film examines the hardships of Asian-American women during World War II, including experiences of immigration and internment camps. Newsreels, archival photographs, and interviews highlight this intriguing documentary that is ideal for class discussion.