KARIN OKADA

Recently I came across a novel “No-No-Boy” by the first Japanese American novelist John Okada. First I was perplexed to find out that Okada fought against Japan in World War II, but after reading “No-No-Boy” I understood that John was an American boy, and this was the choice he made so he can live in the country he was born in. To imagine the life of others takes time. But novels, movies, music and the arts allow us to experience their emotions without needing to pick a side. 

   
Here is poems John Okada wrote after the Pearl Harbor attack. 

I Must be Strong 

I know now for what war I was born. 
Every child is born to see some struggle, 
But this conflict is yet the worst. 
For my dark features are those of the enemy, 
And my heart is buried deep in occidental soil. 
People will say things, and people will do things, 
I know they will, and I must be strong. 

 —John Okada, University of Washington Daily, Dec 11, 1941 
    

Today I worked on the music for a Persian American film “Over My Dead Body”. This film touches on immigrant children’s experience in America and the conflict with their parents, because they have different cultures and beliefs. Here are two tracks that I have composed  for   “Over My Dead Body”. I hope you enjoy. 

Opening: NEW!
https://soundcloud.com/karin-okada/m1v6-the-main-titlekarinokada06052019 

Over My Dead Body: 
https://soundcloud.com/karin-okada/ep3voxfeb12

Free movie on Amazon Prime 

Award-winning short film, “American Hikikomori” (2015) directed by Landis Stokes which I scored the music for is now an Official Selection in AMAZON PRIME’s All Voices Film Festival: Short films celebrating diversity. This dramatic film touches on a Japanese taboo as well as the immigrant experience in America. Many of the cues I scored, I simply improvised and recorded on the spot while the director, cinematographer Stokes sat next to me calling me “wizard”. He was professional, easy and fun to work with, a true samurai. You can watch the film for free if you are an Amazon prime member: American Hikikomori

Technology is a wonderful thing. I got to compose music for tech commercial in New York thru email alone. Here is music I composed which a half of it is upbeat and the other half is daunting. It is password protected video and you need to put password which is: Karin
Enjoy!