Nikkei
Nikkei
Synopsis: The search for identity. Cultures that cross continents. In Nikkei, director Kaori Flores Yonekura tells the story of her grandparents' intrepid journey from Japan to Peru and Venezuela. Along the way, their personal quest for a new home unfolds against the broader backdrop of Japanese immigration to Latin America: from servitude in Peru to anti-Japanese media campaigns during World War II, and the propaganda and promises of a better life in Venezuela. Nikkei is a fascinating and artistically crafted documentary that uses personal testimony to reconstruct a theme in Latin American history.
Festivals/Awards: Philadelphia Latin American Film Festival, Santiago de Chile Ibero-American Film Festival, María Lionza International Film Festival, Venezuelan Film Festival. In New York, the Human Rights Film Festival, the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival, Cinemaissi, the Helsinki Latin American Film Festival, the Ibero-American Documentary Memory Festival, the Cinesul International Film and Video Festival, the Cine Las Américas International Film Festival, the Guadalajara International Film Festival, the Lima International Film Festival, Documenta Caracas - Doc Andino Award, AtlantiDoc, and the Ícaro International Film Festival. (... More).
The Japanese American National Museum (JANM, LA, CA), Japan House London, and the universities of Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, Southern California, California Irvine, Michigan State, Emory, Colorado Boulder, New York-Abu Dhabi, Ohio State, Nebraska Omaha, Chicago, Kenyon College, Wellesley College, Maryland Baltimore County, and Boston College, among others, have acquired various licenses for their permanent collections.
From "Nikkei" to "The Dragon"
The culmination of a decade-long artistic vision built on solidity and prestige.
The new film by Venezuelan-Japanese filmmaker Kaori Flores Yonekura, The Extraordinary Journey of the Dragon, is more than just a movie; it is a testament to resilience and creative freedom. Currently representing Venezuela as the official submission for Best Ibero-American Film at the 2026 Goya Awards, this project marks a milestone in a career already recognized by the main film academies of Ibero-America and prestigious festivals across Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
A Legacy of Impact
This new chapter is firmly backed by the global success of her previous feature film, Nikkei. A work that transcends the screen, Nikkei has not only been celebrated at over 30 international film festivals, but has also become a vital academic and humanitarian asset:
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Festivals, Global Academic Presence & Humanitarian Research:
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Philadelphia Latin American Film Festival, Santiago de Chile Ibero-American Film Festival, María Lionza International Film Festival, Venezuelan Film Festival. In New York, the Human Rights Film Festival, the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival, Cinemaissi, the Helsinki Latin American Film Festival, the Ibero-American Documentary Memory Festival, the Cinesul International Film and Video Festival, the Cine Las Américas International Film Festival, the Guadalajara International Film Festival, the Lima International Film Festival, Documenta Caracas - Doc Andino Award, AtlantiDoc, and the Ícaro International Film Festival. (... More).
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The Japanese American National Museum (JANM, LA, CA), Japan House London, and the universities of Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, Southern California, California Irvine, Michigan State, Emory, Colorado Boulder, New York-Abu Dhabi, Ohio State, Nebraska Omaha, Chicago, Kenyon College, Wellesley College, Maryland Baltimore County, and Boston College, among others, have acquired various licenses for their permanent collections.
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Experience the Standard
We invite you to experience the quality and humanistic value of Kaori's unique voice.
Join the Journey: Share your thoughts and follow our path on social media. Tag us and stay connected: Instagram: @el_dragon_film | @nuevobfilm | @miss__nikkei