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.

Credits
Directed by Pauline Vermare and Marc Lesser
Producers: Noah Avidan, Marc Lesser, Pauline Vermare
Director of Photography: Marc Lesser
Editors: Noah Avidan and Marc Lesser

Featuring
Tom Burke
Noel Doherty
Anthony Haughey
Rihito Kimura
Trish Lambe
Charles McMenamin
Danny Morrisson
Sean O'Hagan
Kusi Okamura
Masako Toda
Tetsuo Toda

Music
Flow (2018) For String Trio
Composed by Sam Perkin
samperkincomposer.com
Performed by Mia Cooper, Joachim Roewer and William Butt
Courtesy of Louth Contemporary Music Society
louthcontemporarymusicsociety.com

Prelude in E Minor (Op. 28 No. 4)
Composed by Frédéric Chopin
Performed by Mohoko Suzuki
Courtesy of Maelstrom Music

GlassLike
Composed and performed by Timothy Cramer
Courtesy of Maelstrom Music
Canons and Overtones
Composed by Donnacha Dennehy
Performed by Crash Ensemble
Courtesy of Crash Records
crashensemble.com

We Shall Overcome
Performed by Maedhbh McCullagh
Courtesy of Public Domain

Music Box
Composed by Kate Moore
Published by Deuss Music
deussmusic.com
Performed by Crash Ensemble
Courtesy of Crash Records

Grey Area
Composed by Sam Perkin
samperkincomposer.com
Performed by Crash Ensemble
Courtesy of Crash Records
crashensemble.com

Allistrum’s March
Composed and performed by The Gloaming
Courtesy of Real World Productions

Today There Is Color Again
Composed and performed by Tom Deis
Courtesy of PremiumBeat

Ar Eirinn Ni Neosainn Ce Hi
Composed by Tommy Makem
Performed by Liam Clancy and Tommy Makem
Courtesy of Shanachie