Golden Gai: Part II

After a series of scheduling mishaps, Professor Herrera and I decided to go over to Golden Gai last night without my other group members. At around 10, we went to La Jetée, a movie themed bar owned by Tomoyo Kawai (who, incidentally, appears to have a facebook acount). Known as a haunt for filmmakers from around the world, it is arguably the most famous bar in Golden Gai. Professor Herrera introduced me, and after ordering two ginger ales, Ms. Kawai served us some tofu. Incidentally, this was the first time I had ever been in a bar, since I don't turn 21 for another 3 weeks, and in any case my alcohol consumption has generally been limited to familial occasions such as New Year's, weddings, et cetera. As such, it may seem somewhat counterintuitive for a non-drinker to choose to document an area that is comprised of hundreds of bars, but I wanted to present myself with a challenge. While I was initially somewhat inclined towards a shopping area, my natural stomping ground, there are several reasons why I decided against this. Firstly, I wanted to maintain as much objectivity as possible; my feelings towards an area like Harajuku are colored by previous experiences and preconceptions, whereas I my knowledge of Golden Gai is fairly factual and unbiased. Secondly, I wanted to place myself outside of my comfort zone - creating a film is largely about pushing the limits, not necessarily opting for what is safe or easy. The processes of viewing and creating are similar in that ultimately one should learn something from the experience. On a less bombastic note, I also knew I would go broke if I chose, say, Harajuku (not that my ventures in Golden Gai will be cheap, mind you).

In any case, I digress - back to La Jetée. After getting our bill, I told Ms. Kawai of my intentions, and I asked her if she would do an interview, to which she responded she would "think about it," which of course meant "no." Professor Herrera and I tried a few more bars to no avail. The Flamenco bar was our final stop, and we seemed to have more luck there, but I had to leave to catch the last train home. That said, nothing is for certain, and I plan on going back several more times - hopefully I can convince someone to let me film!