Places We Knew

A young Japanese returns to his childhood home in Japan, where he reunites with his estranged mother, uncle, and grandmother. Upon arrival, he discovers that his beloved grandmother has recently passed away. As he navigates the challenges of reconnecting with his family and adjusting to the changes in his former home, he faces a difficult decision: cling to cherished memories or confront the painful reality.

Directed by Oliver William Staton
Produced by Oliver William Staton, Nathan M. Legger, and Yukari Tsukahara

Director’s Bio: Oliver William Staton is a filmmaker born in Japan and raised in the United States. He comes from an engineering background, but in 2019 he switched career paths to further develop his skills in writing, directing, and producing. He recently graduated with an MA in Filmmaking from London Film School. His primary interest is rooted in family dramas with cross-cultural struggles with an emphasis on those experienced through an Asian American perspective.

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A Sweet Treat

Sometimes life gets the best of you—you get caught in a lie, parents become too overbearing, or things just are not going your way—and you need a sweet treat to get you through the day. It may not solve everything, but it serves as a reminder that life in the present moment is not completely terrible. In the same way these characters soothe their worries with something delicious, may this showcase serve as a little treat for your viewing experience.