CONSCIENCE AND THE CONSTITUTION

Cinemavixion Review

Frank Abe's "Conscience and the Constitution" is a powerful and essential documentary that delves into a largely untold chapter of American history during World War II. The film meticulously chronicles the story of Japanese Americans incarcerated at the Heart Mountain concentration camp in Wyoming who, despite facing the ultimate injustice of internment, organized a profound act of resistance. They refused to be drafted into the U.S. military until their constitutional rights as citizens were restored and their families released from the camps. Narrated and featuring insightful commentary from figures like Jim French and Lawson Fusao Inada, and with the participation of actor Mako, the documentary highlights the immense bravery of these resisters. Their stand, the largest organized protest against the incarceration, led to the biggest draft resistance trial in U.S. history. The film unflinchingly portrays the ostracization faced by these individuals, labeled as traitors by some within their own community and by veterans, and details their subsequent two-year prison sentences. More than just recounting events, "Conscience and the Constitution" serves as a critical examination of citizenship, loyalty, and the enduring struggle for civil liberties. It brings to light the fifty years these resisters were virtually erased from the official narrative of Japanese American history, making this film a vital act of historical reclamation. With a 7.5 rating on IMDb and having garnered 4 wins and 3 nominations, this documentary is a significant contribution to understanding the complexities of American identity and the courage it takes to demand justice.