The film Autumn Strawberry, depicting the history of Japanese farmers in the Fraser Valley, is now screening in Surrey. 

Autumn Strawberry was first on display in 2019 at the Surrey Art Gallery: Artist Cindy Mochizuki did a two-month residency researching local archives, along with conducting interviews with Japanese Canadians living in the Fraser Valley. Autumn Strawberry's dance film was created the same year by Mochizuki and choreographer Lisa Mariko Gelly in collaboration with the descendants of the Japanese Canadian families who used to own farms in the Fraser Valley, from North Surrey's Strawberry hill down to Mission.

Autumn Strawberry, the dance film, is now open at the Surrey Art Gallery until April 3, and admission is free. The film combines handmade animation and sculptures from Mochizuki's installations into a performance where the dancer's movements help illustrate the story.

Mochizuki spoke with CIVL about her start in multimedia installations, the connection behind Autumn Strawberry and the Fraser Valley, and the descendant's involvement in the performance.

To learn more about Cindy Mochizuki and her work, visit cindymochizuki.com