On this episode of Japan Station, we're joined by documentary filmmaker Ema Ryan Yamazaki to talk about her latest documentary The Making of a Japanese and her latest short documentary Instrument of a Beating Heart. During the conversation we focus on the making of these films, what makes Japanese elementary schools unique, the role Japanese elementary schools play in shaping Japanese society, and more.

👉Topics Discussed

• About the making of the documentary The Making of a Japanese
• About the making of the short documentary Instruments of a Beating Heart
• What makes Japanese elementary schools unique
• Cleaning at Japanese elementary schools
• The good and bad of Japanese elementary schools
• The practice of having students serve lunch
• Discipline at Japanese elementary schools
• Teachers at Japanese elementary schools
• The difficulties of filming a documentary at a Japanese elementary school
• About getting nominated for an Oscar for Instruments of a Beating Heart
• And much more!

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👉Links, Videos, Etc.

For more information about Ema Ryan Yamazaki and her work, check out her website and Instagram.

• Ema Ryan Yamazaki Website: https://www.emaexplorations.com/en/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emaexplorations/

To watch Instruments of a Beating Heart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRW0auOiqm4&t=2s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRW0auOiqm4&t=2s

Check out Ema Ryan Yamazaki's previous appearance on the Japan Station podcast via the link below.

• Documenting the Intense World of Japanese High School Baseball (Ema Ryan Yamazaki) | Japan Station 54: https://japankyo.com/2020/12/about-koshien-japanese-high-school-baseball/

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