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In 1998, Starwheels Productions began shooting a 120-minute feature film in Los Angeles. Shot on 16mm (with black and white scenes depicting the past in Japan), Watermelon Sushi is equal parts comedy and drama.
Due to financing issues, production ceased after 7 days. A 4 1/2-minute trailer was edited and has been screened in several American cities. Today, mixed-race communities of every blend (including transracial adoptees) contact Watermelon Sushi's producers to proclaim their support for this radically real film. In response to their outpouring, a line of t-shirts was created as an opportunity for those who'd like to participate in a grass roots effort to resurrect the movie. Buy a HapaTeez t-shirt and get a rear crawl credit on the film! Click to the hip hapa homeez page for more details.
Currently, Starwheels Productions seeks to re-shoot a revised script on 35mm with a budget of less than $1,000,000. None of the current footage will be used, and a new cast and crew will be hired. Music will play a major part of the film, and the soundtrack producer will have a significant role in the overall production. It's a fact that most soundtrack albums go platinum and more than pay back the costs of film production.
Distribution will be worldwide with special emphasis placed on Japanese and other Asian markets.
Rappers Chuck D and Miwa Lyric have agreed to become involved.
Watermelon in da houze!
Since 1999, the 4 1/2-minute Watermelon Sushi trailer has been viewed at private screenings in New York, Washington DC, Honolulu, Denver and St. Thomas, USVI. Public screenings include:
In addition, press coverage for Watermelon Sushi or articles about mixed-race issues written by, or about, Yayoi have appeared in the following publications:
Yayoi has also spoken about mixed-race issues for:
Additionally, Yayoi has exhibited her four-part series Watermelon Sushi illustrations at:
Want Yayoi to speak about mixed-race issues at your function or institution? Contact her at: watermelonsushi@comcast.net
©2008 Yayoi Lena Winfrey. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be copied, reproduced, or redistributed without prior written permission from the designer.
