The Black ‘Experience’ in Japan

Regge Life’s illuminating and thoroughly engaging “Struggle and Success: The African-American Experience in Japan” will screen on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Japan Foundation Language Center, 2425 W. Olympic, Santa Monica.

Considering the infamous racist remarks made by some Japanese officials, and the examples of blatant stereotyping of blacks in Japanese merchandising and advertising in the film, one would not think that Japan would attract African-Americans or be hospitable to them. Yet a wide-ranging group of blacks interviewed by Life reveal that, at least in the short term, living and working in Japan can be a positive, even lucrative, experience.

The film makes clear that Japanese politeness enables black Americans to be free from racism on a daily basis and that the Japanese also are willing to judge people on their merits. However, most of the interviewees say they plan to leave, whether they want to or not, because they believe they’ll eventually run up against social and professional barriers that they attribute to a Japanese attitude of superiority extended toward most foreigners, regardless of race.

Reservations: (213) 627-6217, Ext. 15.