‘Visas and Virtue’ to Be Shown at CSUN

At this year’s Academy Awards ceremonies, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were presenters for the best live-action short film category.

They announced as the winner “Visas and Virtue,” a film based on the true story of a Japanese diplomat credited with saving the lives of thousands of Jews during World War II.

Tonight, following a screening of the 26-minute Oscar-winning film at Cal State Northridge’s Performing Arts Theater, cast members and producers will hold a question-and-answer session.

CSUN alumnus Lawrence Craig, one of the film’s actors, will be joined in the discussion by co-stars Chris Tashima, Diana Georger and Susan Fukuda. Also participating will be executive producer and co-writer Tim Toyama and co-writer and co-producer Chris Donahue. Tashima also directed, co-wrote and co-produced.

“It’s a film that I’m very proud of, work I’m very proud of,” said Craig, who graduated from CSUN in 1991 with a theater degree.

Based on a one-act play written by Toyama, the film tells the story of Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat stationed in Lithuania in the early part of World War II.

Disobeying orders from his superiors in Tokyo, Sugihara issued 2,000 transit visas to Jewish refugees, said Ed O’Brien, who is coordinating tonight’s event through the University Honors Program.

“It’s a very courageous story about a very brave man who was willing to risk his life for the greater good,” said O’Brien.

The free event begins at 7 p.m. Reservations are not required, but seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, call (818) 677-2969.