UH Mānoa College of Social Sciences presents Sundance selection ‘Third Act’

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Film official trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYIuM5Y8E7c

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Social Sciences, in partnership with the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) and the Daniel K. Inouye Institute, will present a special screening of the documentary film "Third Act." This exclusive event will take place on March 31, 2026, 6-8 p.m. in the Architecture Auditorium (ARCH 205) on the UH Mānoa campus.

Admission to this event is free and open to the public. Interested attendees are encouraged to secure their seats by registering by Friday, March 27.

Directed by Tadashi "Tad" Nakamura, director of JANM's Frank H. Watase Media Arts Center, "Third Act" was an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The 91-minute documentary offers an intimate look at the life of his father, Robert A. Nakamura-a legendary filmmaker and activist. The screening will be followed by a live Q&A session with Tad.

Using the lessons taught to him by his father, Tad deciphers the legacy of an aging man who was just a child when he survived the U.S. concentration camps. Robert was a successful photographer who gave it up to tell his own story, an activist at the dawn of a social movement-and a father whose struggles won his son freedoms that eluded Japanese Americans of his generation. Throughout the years they have made films together, with Robert always by Tad's side. "Third Act" was their last.

"The College of Social Sciences is honored to bring this free community screening of 'Third Act' to our campus," said Denise Eby Konan, dean, UH Mānoa College of Social Sciences. "This film not only celebrates a pioneer in media arts, but offers a powerful exploration of art, activism and the Japanese American experience."

"The Daniel K. Inouye Institute is honored to support the screening of the Emmy award winning film, 'Third Act,' which tells a heartfelt family story of Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII, and of a broader story of resilience and remembrance," said Jennifer Sabas, president, Daniel K. Inouye Institute. "When I reflect upon the unspeakable, discriminatory hardship imposed on a group of people purely because of the color of their skin, and now the turbulent times in which we find ourselves today, it reminds me of one of Sen. Inouye's favorite sayings-'History is an excellent teacher, provided you heed the lessons learned. Otherwise, you are likely to repeat them.'"

Tadashi Nakamura, an Emmy award-winning filmmaker, was named to CNN's "Young People Who Rock" list for being the youngest filmmaker at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Now with more than 20 years of filmmaking experience, his films include "Nobuko Miyamoto: A Song in Movement" (2024), "Mele Murals" (2016), "Jake Shimabukuro: Life on Four Strings" (2013), "A Song for Ourselves" (2009) and "Pilgrimage" (2006).