Flying Carp Productions - Documentary Films

A Good Year

Mark — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:02:30 +0000

2009 was a very big year for Fukuda Sensei, and for the film. In October the film crew traveled to Tokyo with her, where she attended the Kodokan All Japan Kata Tournament, as their honored guest. Keiko Fukuda, 9th dan, is the only woman sitting at the head table, along with the three living 10th dan men. It was a truly amazing experience for us to be able to document Fukuda Sensei’s first trip to Japan, in over 20 years.

One week after her return from Japan, November 8, 2009 Fukuda Sensei was honored again. Nine martial arts schools from the bay area, demonstrated judo, kung-fu, karate, capoeira, naginata and more! It was a festive event and helped to raise over $2,000 for the film! We are now looking to raise the rest of the funds, and finish the film in 2010.

Come Support “Be Strong, Be Gentle, Be Beautiful” on Sunday, November 8

Mark — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:12:06 +0000

Please join us this Sunday, November 8th for fundraising event honoring 96-year old Keiko Fukudo, the subject of Flying Carp’s latest documentary Be Strong, Be Gentle, Be Beautiful. This evemt will feature martial arts performances of Judo, Karate, Aikido, Kung Fu and more.

Event Specifics
Place: Mills College Gym, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA
Time:Sunday, November 8, 3-5PM

Welcome To Our New Website

admin — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 15:57:13 +0000

We’re really excited about the launch of the new Flying Carp Productions website. Thanks for checking it out! As you’ll see it is a way to learn about the company, films, connect with us on Facebook, watch trailers, donate, receive updates, etc.

There are a lot of exciting things in motion for Be Strong, Be Gentle, Be Beautiful. We are currently at work editing a new version of the trailer, and will post that here soon.

Thanks again for visiting and stay tuned…

Traveling to Japan

admin — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 15:55:29 +0000

Later this week Yuriko is traveling to Japan to visit the Kodokan and discuss the film, conduct archival research, and meet with prospective funders.

Speaking of funds…we’re really grateful for a generous donation from the U.S. Judo Federation, which is sure to help with our upcoming shoot in July at the Summer Women’s Judo Camp.

admin — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:30:42 +0000

Her destiny was set two generations before her birth, during the final days of the samurai era. In 1934, at 21 years of age, Keiko Fukuda embarked on a long journey with judo as her vehicle. This path meant giving up marriage, family, and her Japanese citizenship. She has endured war, discrimination, and crossed oceans, to become the highest-ranking woman in judo history. Today, at 96, she is the last living link to judo’s original history, and remains an active, devoted teacher. Be Strong, Be Gentle, Be Beautiful is an hour-long work-in-progress documentary film about Keiko Fukuda’s inspirational journey.

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admin — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:04:20 +0000

Mixing cultures, race and families is at the heart of any intercultural/interracial marriage. In Occidental Encounters, Yuriko Gamo Romer explores this subject while in the midst of her own “mixed” engagement and wedding. Two very colorful, more experienced couples expound on their experiences as the filmmaker raises issues and questions. The film specifically looks at Japanese American mixed marriage, but the issues transcend the specifics to the point that any marriage is in fact a joining of two cultures, as most married people can attest to.

Occidental Encounters is a National Educational Media Network, Silver Apple recipient, an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 1998 Student Academy Award Gold Medalist, and a Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Award winner.

admin — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:28:23 +0000

“St. Gregory of Nyssa wrote, ‘The one thing truly worthwhile is becoming God’s friend.’ That matters more than doing things right, so God will reward you, or avoiding evil, so you won’t get punished” says Rick Fabian, rector of St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco.

Dancing with God is a documentary about a church and a community that embodies St. Gregory’s ideas. Singing, dancing, and sharing life’s experiences are brought vibrantly to life as you get a sense of the people who make up this deeply connected and colorful community.