Indie Film Event of the Day: ‘Go for Broke: An Origin Story’

The 2019 Los Angeles premiere of Go for Broke: An Origin Story introduced audiences to a long-overlooked chapter of World War II history. Writer and executive producer Stacey Hayashi crafted her first feature as a Hawaii-shot drama that follows the formation of the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service. The story opens on the eve of December 7, 1941, when thousands of Japanese-American servicemen were already stationed in Hawaii, and it tracks the fight to prove loyalty after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Young Nisei men petitioned the military governor to serve even after they were removed from the Hawaii Territorial Guard and labeled enemy aliens. Their persistence led to the creation of the 442nd, whose motto, Go for Broke, captured the all-or-nothing stakes of their service in Europe. The film uses authentic locations across Hawaii and draws on firsthand accounts from veterans and their families to keep every scene grounded in documented events.

Production and Historical Accuracy Details

Authentic details supplied by veterans and their families remain the film’s central strength. Torao Migita’s family appears on screen, and descendants of Hawaii governor John A. Burns and other unit members fill supporting roles. Veterans Ted Tsukiyama, Bishop Yoshiaki Fujitani, Herbert K. Yanamura, and Senator Daniel Akaka make cameos, as do active members of today’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Regiment. The University of Hawaii at Manoa Academy of Creative Media supported the production, linking the wartime story to the campus community. The film now streams on Vimeo after its initial 2019 screenings.

Cast, Crew, and Soundtrack

Oscar winner Chris Tashima leads the cast alongside Peter Shinkoda, Cole Horibe, and Ban Daisuke. Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro composed the score and makes his acting debut. Cinematographers Jeremy Snell and Anthony Sanderson-Vallejo shot on an Arri Alexa, with Abraham Williams operating the camera. Director Alex Bocchieri, producers Dean Sensui and Anne Misawa, and Hayashi shaped a compact narrative that earned recognition as an award-winning feature.

Unit Service and Awards

The 442nd earned 21 Medals of Honor, seven Presidential Unit Citations, and over 4,000 Purple Hearts. Daniel K. Inouye, later a United States senator and president pro tempore, received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Italy. The unit remains the most decorated of its size in American military history. In 2011 the Nisei soldiers received the Congressional Gold Medal, and survivors were awarded the French Légion d’Honneur in 2012 for their role in liberating France.

Current Availability and Digital Access

Viewers can rent or purchase Go for Broke: An Origin Story on Vimeo On Demand worldwide. The official site highlights the film’s availability on the 75th anniversary of the 442nd’s formation, giving new audiences a direct window into the unit’s origin story without requiring travel to festival screenings.

Ongoing Legacy and Recognition

Honolulu proclaimed October 13-19, 2024, as Legacy of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team Week. Community events continue to mark the soldiers’ service, and the Congressional Gold Medal presentation in 2011 and the French Légion d’Honneur awards in 2012 stand as national and international acknowledgments that extend well beyond the war years.

Filmmaker's Continued Work

Stacey Hayashi has kept the focus on these veterans. In 2024 she published the children’s book The Story of Lucy: Mascot of the 442nd RCT Medics, extending the same archival approach that shaped the film. Her work continues to bring lesser-known stories from the 100th and 442nd into public view.

Updated Historical Context on Unit Honors

Confirmed records list 21 Medals of Honor, seven Presidential Unit Citations, and more than 4,000 Purple Hearts for the combined units. Daniel Inouye stands among the recipients, and the 442nd’s record for size and service remains unmatched. These figures, along with the later Congressional Gold Medal and Légion d’Honneur, place the soldiers’ achievements in a clear historical frame.

The film’s commitment to accuracy and its current streaming access make the story of the 100th and 442nd reachable for anyone interested in the unit’s formation and its lasting place in American military history. Hayashi’s ongoing projects, together with recent community recognitions, keep the narrative alive for new generations.