Join us for the first in a series of films this year looking at diversity and inclusion in Japanese society. "Close-Knit" (2017 2 hr 7 min) is a drama by writer and director Naoko Ogigami about Tomo, an 11-year old girl who discovers her mother has abandoned her. Tomo's uncle and his transgender girlfriend, Rinko, take her in. Together they tackle the task of knitting 108 of Rinko's special hopes and dreams, one stitch at a time. (Original title: Karera ga honki de amu toki wa)

Japanese with English subtitles.

Film will be followed by a Q/A opportunity with Davinder Bhowmik, University of Washington professor of Japanese literature.