Paper Lanterns

Paper Lanterns is a 2016 documentary that illuminates a poignant backstory of an infamous historic event during WWII – the atomic bombing of Hiroshima – seen through the eyes of a dedicated and compassionate Japanese historian, Shigeaki Mori. Directed by Barry Frechette and produced by Peter Grilli, Max Esposito, and Mai-Niina Felty, the film correlates the intersections of the global and personal impacts of the war. The thoughtful cinematography and crisp editing, along with a moving musical score, amplify the emotional depths of the narrative.

The film is a tribute to Shigeaki Mori, an indomitable hero and a beacon of humanity, who spent more than four decades researching the harrowing stories of the 12 American POWs who were also victims of the atomic bombing. The 83-year-old Hiroshima survivor encountered the forgotten names of these servicemen incidentally in a footnote during his broader research on the day that changed the world. He ardently desired to bring their stories to light, unsung and unmarked in the annals of American military history, and to convey these narratives to the families of the deceased.

Paper Lanterns unveils the ordinary lives of the soldiers who were stationed in Japan, the families they left behind at home, and their aspirations and dreams that vanished with the tragic bombing. The humanization of their stories breathes life into history, making their loss palpable for the contemporary audience.

The documentary starts when Shigeaki Mori was eight, on the fateful day of August 6, 1945, when the Enola Gay dropped the atomic bomb on his hometown, Hiroshima. While he was lucky to survive, Mori was haunted by the intensity of the event and the figures lost in the cataclysm. The film portrays Mori’s journey from his early interest in studying the history of the bombing to his tireless endeavor to locate and contact the families of the 12 American pilots. The central goal of his mission was to connect these individuals with their lost loved ones.

The film also introduces viewers to several other key characters who significantly contribute to the emotional texture of the narrative. Susan Archinski, Ralph Neale, Connie Brissette, and Eddie Chandonnet are relatives of the American servicemen who perished in the bombing. The film recounts their stories and presents their emotional reactions upon learning details about their loved ones' lives and sacrificial deaths, details uncovered thanks to Mori's meticulous research.

Paper Lanterns goes beyond the well-documented historical accounts of political decisions and military campaigns. Instead, it focuses on personal narratives, relationships fractured by the war, and the attempts to mend the broken links. It frames the war from the angles of its unsuspecting victims, thus instilling a deep sense of humanity to the calamity.

Several unforgettable moments in the film touch the core of forgiveness and compassion. The scene where Mori, choked with emotion, reveals the exact spot where one of the American soldiers died, and the moment where an offspring of the deceased soldier tries to embrace and share his pain, are particularly poignant.

The eighty-nine-minute documentary communicates its narrative powerfully with the help of photographs, letters, archival footage, interviews, and reflective voiceovers. These components effectively juxtapose the vibrant lives that once were, against the grim devastation left by the atomic bomb.

Paper Lanterns excels in the delicate treatment of its subject matter, neither being presumptuously judgmental nor overly patriotic. Through the parallel narratives of Mori and the affected families, the film tactfully emphasizes the bond of shared grief that transcends national, cultural, and racial boundaries.

In conclusion, Paper Lanterns is more than a historical documentary set against the backdrop of the atomic bombing. It is a deeply moving account of one man's tireless quest for truth, his stubborn defiance of forgetfulness, and his courageous attempt to bring a sense of closure to the families who lost their loved ones. This film honors the innocent lives cut short by war and the indomitable spirit of humanity that dares to remember and reconcile, making it a must-watch for those seeking powerful narratives about human resilience and compassion.