JABSOM Alumni are invited to an exclusive fundraising event to support the production of a documentary film, Sadako’s Gift, by Academy and Emmy Award-winning director Freida Lee Mock. Dr. Patrice Ming Tim Sing and Nanette Lontayao Tim Sing were moved by the story and performances of Sadako’s Gift and generously offered to open their estate to support this special fundraising event on Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 5 pm to 8 pm in Kailua. There will also be a special guest appearance by Jake Shimabukuro. To reserve your place, please RSVP to Dr. Rae Seitz at raeseitz@gmail.com or call (808)285-3102 by June 11, 2025.
Perpetuating Sadako’s Impactful Story
Sadako’s Gift is based on the original musical, Peace on Your Wings (POYW), written by two gifted musicians Jenny Taira and Laurie Rubin, graduates of the Yale School of Music and founders of ‘Ohana Arts Youth Theatre Company. POYW is the story of Sadako Sasaki who at the age of 2 survived the bombing of Hiroshima but died at the age of 12 from leukemia, a tragicconsequence of exposure to radiation. Sadako left a powerful legacy which continues to inspireus: What difference can one life make? We ask that you add your voice to her message for peace, and put an end to war and violence in all forms. POYW is a Broadway-caliber production, and combines modern pop with Japanese influences to create an uplifting, unforgettable experience that leaves audiences inspired by the power of youth to change our world.
Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Bombing of Hiroshima
Honoring the ancient legend that anyone who folds 1,000 origami cranes, one for each year of the sacred bird’s life, Sadako folded 1,300 cranes in the final weeks of her young life. Children and adults throughout the world have been touched by her wish that no one has to suffer the effects of war and violence that she had to endure. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. At a time when there are attempts to rewrite history, we must never forget and learn from the past. Promulgating Sadako’s wish is our way of perpetuating her story and peace throughout our world. The cast, made up entirely of Hawaii youth, ages 9-19, tell a story of peace from a child’s experience through music, song and dance. At the invitation of Hiroshima Prefecture’s Mayor Kazumi Matsui, this talented local group of youth will perform in Fukuoka and Hiroshima, culminating in a finale performance as a centerpiece to the commemorative events in Hiroshima.
The Documentary
The documentary, currently being filmed, follows the production of POYW from auditions to call backs, to rehearsals. The film will also cover the performances at Kennedy Theater at UH Mānoa this coming July. Then it is off to Japan for eight performances and the finale in Hiroshima, with survivors attending. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Hiroshima residents and the Hawai‘i cast and crew. Sadako’s older brother Masahiro Sasaki, an activist for peace who has worked with Truman’s grandson Clifton Truman Daniel, also will be in attendance. These cast members are evolving as ambassadors of peace.
An Award-Winning
Director Freida Lee Mock (director of Maya Lin, RUTH – Justice Ginsburg, ANITA (Hill), SING!, Lt. Watada, and producer of Rose Kennedy, a Life to Remember) is writing and directing the documentary. Executive producers of Sadako’s Gift include Dr. Rae Setsuko Seitz, Juli Tamie Shaindlin, and Sharon Twigg-Smith. The documentary is scheduled to be finished by 2026, in time for film festival season. We aim to play in movie theaters and on streaming platforms to ensure Sadako’s story continues to be told all over the world, in perpetuity. It also will highlight the brilliant work of Jenny Taira, Laurie Rubin, director Cari Chung, and their ongoing work at ‘Ohana Arts, the musical performance school they founded.
Talent and Hard Work
The children have worked very hard to reach this stage, and have successfully raised more than $250,000 to cover the expenses for their trip to Japan. That has been a rewarding learning experience in itself. We are now raising funds to support the production of the film. As you can imagine, producing a high-quality documentary is costly, but we believe this is a worthwhile endeavor that will have a profound, lasting impact in our world. So far, a number of organizations and individuals have stepped forward to generously support this effort, including:
● Members of JABSOM class of 1993
● Strategic Communication Solutions, LLC
● Halekulani Corporation
● Eric A. Seitz, Attorney at Law, a Law Corporation
Celebrate with Us and the Children
We look forward to having you join us for this great event, which is both a celebration of our achievements to date and a mahalo to those who have supported the cast and crew of POYW, Ohana Arts, and Sadako’s Gift on this amazing journey. If you are unable to attend we hope you will still consider making a donation. We invite you to attend a performance of Peace on Your Wings July 12-13 at the Kennedy Theater on the UH Mānoa campus. Tickets are now on sale.
We appreciate any level of support for this effort and we will acknowledge everyoneʻs contributions. As a special way of acknowledging donors who give $1,000 or more towards the film, we will include your name in the film credits. Those who give $100,000 or more will be acknowledged with an Executive Producer credit. Tax-deductible donations may be made to the 501(c)(3) American Film Foundation (am.film@verizon.net) or call (310) 428-1217, Rae Seitz (808)285-3102 or Juli Shaindlin (808)386-5168. Mahalo nui loa!
More Information
Sadako's Gift (working title)
A feature documentary film in progress
Directed by Oscan and Emmy winner Freida Lee Mock
Brief Synopsis:
This feature-length documentary tells the inspiring true story of a 12-year-old girl in postwar Japan – exposed to the first nuclear war and its environmental destruction – whose tenacious creation of a Thousand Cranes sparked an international children’s peace movement. Today the Children’s Peace Monument in Hiroshima Peace Park overflows with vibrant paper cranes sent by millions of children around the globe to honor Sadako Sasaki. It’s an intimate and gigantic story. But who was Sadako?
She is often considered the Anne Frank of the Asia-Pacific: both were brave, innocent victims of WWII, aware of their wartime peril, who left powerful legacies of hope and resilience. Their lives are cautionary tales of the cost of hatred. Sadako’s story speaks to us in this very moment, as the world’s most powerful people brandish nuclear weapons, ignoring the unspeakable environmental disaster even “limited” nuclear war would bring. Sadako reminds us that in all of our lifetimes we share one world, one environment.
Sadako is two when the atom bomb falls on her city of Hiroshima. She seems miraculously unharmed. She’s an energetic, popular athletic student excited for middle school when the first symptoms appear – leukemia, caused by radiation. Sadako takes up the ancient Japanese custom: if you can fold a Thousand Cranes, your wish will be granted. After her death, Sadako’s school friends launch a campaign that goes global – a genuine Children’s Peace Monument dedicated in 1958 to all children harmed by war.
For the first time the story of Sadako will be told in a groundbreaking documentary that weaves together her life, legacy and an original 2-hour Broadway caliber musical Peace On Your Wings created by two Yale School of Music women graduates and performed by a Hawaiian youth cast. The musical tells us how one stricken middle-school girl became a citizen of the world, and gave us lasting hope - it’s a story about both peace and war.
Directed by filmmaker Freida Lee Mock, the film takes a unique “movie-within-a musical” structure, akin to the innovation and energy of Hamilton. We follow the young Hawaiian cast as they prepare for a national tour coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing. The film explores Sadako’s story through their eyes. It culminates in their performance in Hiroshima in August 2025, where they will meet atomic bomb survivors and Sadako’s older brother. This moment will bridge generations, as Sadako’s peace message is passed from past to present to future.
These scenes are interwoven with interviews, historical footage and the personal journeys of the youth cast. It will be a vibrant, multi-faceted, fastmoving narrative that will resonate with global audiences. At its heart, this documentary celebrates the universal human spirit and the Buddhist principle: “Today is the first and last day of your life.” It is a call to action, reminding viewers of all ages that even one 12-year-old girl can inspire and change the world today. And with luck, help save it from nuclear and environmental disaster.
Production fall 2024 to winter 2025 | Contact: (310) 428-1235 | flmock1@gmail.com