Last minute events can often prove to be more rewarding than the planned ones. For an ex-Randolph Macon student who easily fills half his life with anything Japan-related, an invitation to the world premiere of Live Your Dream: The Taylor Anderson Story on November 9 at Richmond CenterStage was just such an impromptu reward.
Last minute events can often prove to be more rewarding than the planned ones. For an ex-Randolph Macon student who easily fills half his life with anything Japan-related, an invitation to the world premiere of Live Your Dream: The Taylor Anderson Story on November 9 at Richmond CenterStage was just such an impromptu reward.
Some months ago, I had the unique and incredible opportunity to hear Ichiro Fujisaki, Japanese Ambassador to the US, speak at the University of Richmond. He presented a reflection and discussion of the events that occurred on and after March 11, 2011. Aside from receiving a very heartfelt conveyance of gratitude from Japan by the Ambassador, the three dozen people at that presentation were also told of a documentary film, about the RMC student/JET teacher who was the first confirmed American casualty of The Great Tohoku Earthquake, that was then in production. Upon receiving the notification email about the film’s premiere screening, I felt a rush of emotion that took me back to the reflective anniversary of 3/11 at UofR, and to that dreadful Friday morning when the world shook so.
The film, directed by Regge Life, begins by presenting the story of a wonderful child who became a passionate student and avid Japanophile. The portrayal of Anderson as one who took her time with everything, always observing and then acting when the time was right, set the warm tone for the first half of the film. Myriad stories from her parents, Andy and Jeanne (who are actively involved with American financial and moral support of the Tohoku crisis), as well as her friends, classmates, and teachers throughout the years, strongly support the impression of a very happy woman, accomplishing exactly what she wanted to.
The second half of the film is an intense reminder of the sadness, loss and tragedy that (still) surrounds 3/11. Everything that was warm, friendly, and familial about the beginning is coldly halted when you see both the terrifying footage of the tsunami surge inland and the pictures depicting devastation so vast. But it is the good and the healing that drive the messages of this story home. Taylor’s father Andy hoped that in seeing the film, one would walk away with some part of Taylor–whether it be her energetic and positive presence in life, or the drive to fulfill one’s own dreams, whatever they may be. In terms of this goal, Live Your Dream: The Taylor Anderson Story is a successful film.
