Interview: ‘Kira Dane And Katelyn Rebelo’ Talk Their New Short Film Mizuko (Water Child)

By James Lindorf

I recently had the chance to talk to Kira Dane and Katelyn Rebelo, the co-directors of the extraordinary short film Mizuko (Water Child). Mizuko is a powerful and artistic look at the grief associated with having an abortion. Kira is a half-Japanese filmmaker from New York and currently living in Nara, Japan. Being exposed to multiple cultures can be very beneficial and not always in the way to expect. When Kira made the decision to end her pregnancy, she found American culture proudly lacking in how it prepares women beforehand and supports them after the difficult decision. She did find comfort in a traditional Buddhist ceremony to grieve miscarriages, stillbirths, and even willful abortions. This ritual is called Mizuko kuyō, literally “water child memorial service,” it is practiced in temples and privately in people’s homes across Japan.

Mizuko was part of Tribeca Institute’s If/Then Short Documentary Program and supported with a Sundance Ignite Fellow’s grant from Sundance Institute. The short film is an intriguing blend of 8mm live-action and animation done in watercolor paintings. The rough and dirty look of the 8mm is a beautiful contrast from the animation highlighting each’s grit and beauty. Mizuko may not be a film everyone appreciates. Still, its message sounds loud and clear; you are not alone, you may find ways to ease your pain if you keep looking, and that America needs to do better with its support system.

Mizuko has been shown at many festivals around the world and is currently in search of a long-term online home.

Interview is below.