I expected a touching story about a homeless artist and his cats. I didn’t expect one man to have survived Hiroshima, Japanese internment, 9/11, and decades of life on the streets before finally getting a second chance.
My colleague Rob Kelly currently ranks this as #2 on his list of the Best Cat Documentaries.
Trailer for “The Cats of Mirikitani”
You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up
- Jimmy Mirikitani was living on the streets just blocks from the World Trade Center when the September 11 attacks happened. Filmmaker Linda Hattendorf took him into her tiny apartment, a decision that completely changed both of their lives.
- As the doc unfolds, we learn that Jimmy survived both the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and the incarceration of Japanese Americans at California’s Tule Lake internment camp during World War II.
- After more than 50 years apart, Linda helps Jimmy locate and reunite with his sister—the only close family member he had left.
Watch “The Cats of Mirikitani”
You can get a DVD of “The Cats of Mirikitani” on Amazon.
You can also check the latest streaming options on JustWatch.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 93/100
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 94/100 (Users); 96/100 (Critics)
Director’s Note: Linda Hattendorf never intended to make a film about homelessness or World War II. She just began filming the elderly artist she often saw drawing cats near her apartment. After 9/11, the documentary evolved into an extraordinary personal journey as she became part filmmaker, part detective, and part caregiver.
Release Date: 2006
Other Unique Stuff
- Jimmy’s artwork has since been displayed in galleries and museums, helping preserve both his paintings and the remarkable life story behind them.
- The doc is frequently shown in schools and museums as a way to teach both Japanese American internment and the lasting human impact of the Hiroshima atomic bombing.
Wrap Up:
“The Cats of Mirikitani” starts as a story about an elderly homeless artist and ends as an inspiring reminder that it’s never too late to rediscover family, dignity, and hope.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc