TIME OF FEAR

In World War II more than 110,000 Japanese Americans were forced to leave their homes and relocate to military camps dotted across the western United States. Time of Fear tells the story of the 16,000 men, women and children who were sent to two camps in southeast Arkansas, one of the poorest and most racially segregated places in America. It is also explores the reactions of the native Arkansans who watched in bewilderment as their tiny towns were overwhelmed by this huge influx of outsiders.

Using rare home movies of the camp and interviews with Japanese Americans and Arkansans who lived these events, Time of Fear is a tale of suspicion and fear, of resilience, and of the deep scars left by America’s long and unfinished struggle with race. Today, in the aftermath of 9/11, Time of Fear resonates with chilling power.

Funding for the film was provided by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. Additional support was provided by the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council, funded the Real Estate Transfer Tax; and by the Arkansas Humanities Council Department of Arkansas Heritage.