We recently had the chance to connect with Aamuro Kanda and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Aamuro, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I’d say I felt incredibly proud last October when I premiered my first narrative feature film in the small Minnesotan town where we shot a majority of the scenes. I must admit, this screening was a last minute dash to the finish line. We were still mixing audio in Los Angeles a week before the locked screening date. The co-director of the film and I were taking graveyard shifts overseeing the sound design and mix while color grading at the same time. We knew we had to hit the deadline, but what they don’t tell you is things will always go wrong as soon as you feel like you have a foothold. Fortunately, with the co-director being a college best friend and roommate, we found humor as a way to cope- “of course this timeline was deleted” or “yeah figures that the software would crash” or just “wow this film is stupid but that’s okay”.
Fast forward two weeks later and there is a line around the block for the sold out show of Mr. Yanagi’s Aliens, a no-budget comedy we shot right after college that took us around the country (Minnesota, Colorado and Michigan) and Japan. We also acted in the film (a cardinal sin for us filmmakers) which gave it a sort of meta “post-grad blues” quality. I was terrified for the screening. A day before we went live, the test screening failed due to export errors and we learned that the blu-ray discs we planned to sell (to help recoup some expenses) were not up to par with the primarily DVD-using local community. In short, we had to pivot quite a bit while making minor edits and major exports in the tiny log cabin we were staying in.
But let me tell you, when you and your best friend are suddenly in small town newspapers, radio shows and photoshoots on a rinky-dink red carpet (post limo ride)- it feels like you’re on top of the world. The premiere was a success and I could not be prouder of the work the ragtag team achieved. We even made it into the town’s local heritage museum and would go on to two sold out premieres in Colorado and partner with Luke Steinfeld’s 50/50 festival for a Los Angeles premiere.
Sitting in the back of the theater, whispering to my friend/roommate/co-director:
“yikes”
“oh that fell flat”
“hey that’s not too bad”
“Well old pal, we did it.”
I couldn’t be prouder. We did do it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a filmmaker and photographer who specializes in finding the intimate, beautifully human moments in life and art. My work tends to revolve around directing and cinematography. Whether it’s historical dramas or absurd Japanese-inspired comedies, the core of my stories are digestible universal emotional experiences that connect with audiences from all walks of life.
I recently directed and edited a feature concert film for the Grammy / Golden Globe artist, Kitarō, that we filmed in Japan at a temple containing a massive indoor Buddha. I then shifted gears to co-create a feature no-budget buddy comedy that we premiered around the USA. I’m also currently in post production for a documentary I started in 2022 that follows an attempt to break a world record. This documentary took us to New York, Colorado and Hawaii and I’m very excited to share more about it soon.
In terms of future projects, I have two scripts I’m developing: one being a 1970s piece about a draft dodger attempting to reconnect with his family after missing for years. The other script follows the rise and fall of a family-owned Japanese restaurant in America across multiple generations, highlighting the love of food, the struggles of small businesses and the bonds and betrayals of family.
Regardless of project scale, I like to consider myself the type of artist who will take whatever resources are available and maximize their potential. That, and the people I meet along the way continue to inspire me every day.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world, wow that’s a tough one. I feel like there have been so many “ah-ha” moments over the years that have developed me into who I am today. For a recent memory, I’d say back in 2023, a childhood friend and I played a last minute music gig on the rooftop of a legendary local restaurant (38 years in business and counting) right before it sold to new owners.
Being lifelong Beatles fans, my friend Jackson and I had dreamed of performing a rooftop concert since we first met and started playing together in middle school. So, when we found out that we had access to a rooftop and a tight two weeks until the show, we set out to learn the material and give it our all. We managed to find a few other local musicians to recreate the setlist from the Beatles’ 1969 rooftop performance. The concert would also serve as a charity event to collect donations for Maui wildfire relief funds.
Being on that roof, worrying if the 100 year old building could support the weight of a sound system and playing the songs that bonded Jackson and I years before was truly special. There were times where we kept looking at each other, not for cues or showmanship, but for just the utter awe of living out a dream. Those moments made me realize how important it is to just roll up your sleeves and put words into action. In this world, those who are persistently authentic will make the most out of anything and find the greatest rewards and enjoyment of life. The world can be a beautiful place, you just have to believe and go for your goals.
As we were playing a scrappy, raw rendition of One After 909 we saw the police show up in the street below where a crowd was gathering. I turned to Jackson, with smiles on both our faces I couldn’t help but think of all of the late night jam sessions we had throughout our childhood. Maybe this was what John and Paul thought!
No, we weren’t arrested or shut down- they just wanted to listen!
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of letting others down has always been a roadblock in my headspace. I tend to doubt my work, which in one way pushes me towards perfectionism but also creates a lot of stress and anxiety. Yes, they say you criticize your own work the most, but for me I just don’t want to fall short for the people who helped me succeed and grow into what I’ve become today. In a similar vein, I don’t want to run out of time! There are so many ideas and projects I need to create, so at times it becomes overwhelming to pick and choose what will stick.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Treat others with respect. Every person brings something to the table. If someone has a weakness they also probably have multiple strengths. I’ve seen so many doors open to those who are pleasant to work with- and close for those who are rude or ego-centric. Plus, film is inherently a collaborative medium.
Let’s say you have a great concept, nice and solid, but suddenly another person chimes in with a way they think will help make that idea a little better. Don’t shut it down, add the thought to the pot and create a new fresh fantastic idea. I’ve found that collaborating with positivity and honesty is key to those special creative moments and I cannot emphasize enough how valuable a respectful attitude is when working to reach them.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
It’s important to give everything your best. In my world, your work is your signature. For me, I’m always trying to top my own personal accomplishments. I can be working on a small project, maybe one that will never really see the light of day, but I am always able to walk away from something with new knowledge. I feel that when we treat our work or even our own personal lives as a sandbox to grow in, we can come out from anything with positivity and a new perspective for future use.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kanda-films.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanda_films/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aamurokanda/
Image Credits
Reese Glick
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