
Okinawa Saudade is a documentary about Okinawan-Brazilian descendants returning to Okinawa, where they engage with the homeland’s history and culture. Directed by Yoju Matsubayashi, the Japanese film features Yumi Teruya and Everton Arashiro as themselves and is presented in Japanese, Portuguese and English.
Okinawa Saudade follows Okinawan-Brazilian descendants as they return to their ancestral homeland. The documentary centers on their engagement with Okinawa’s history and culture, connecting personal heritage with a place shaped by generations of migration and memory.
Directed by Yoju Matsubayashi, the film is a Japanese production with dialogue in Japanese, Portuguese and English. Yumi Teruya and Everton Arashiro appear as themselves.
Okinawa Saudade movie details
| Title | Okinawa Saudade |
|---|---|
| Original title | オキナワ・サウダージ |
| Release date | |
| Runtime | 1h 50m |
| Genres | Documentary |
| Director | Yoju Matsubayashi |
| Country | Japan |
| Languages | Japanese, Portuguese, English |
| Status | Released |
Story without spoilers
The documentary traces a return to Okinawa by descendants of Okinawan emigrants in Brazil. Its focus is not a fictional plot but the participants’ experience of reconnecting with their ancestral homeland and learning through its history and culture. The supplied synopsis leaves the specific locations, encounters and narrative structure undescribed.
What to expect
Okinawa Saudade can be approached as a heritage-focused documentary built around return, identity and cultural connection. Its premise brings together Okinawan and Brazilian contexts, while the multilingual presentation reflects that cross-cultural focus. The film’s 1-hour-50-minute runtime allows room for a sustained examination of the participants’ relationship with Okinawa, though the available information does not specify its visual approach or detailed structure.
Cast and creative team
Yoju Matsubayashi directs Okinawa Saudade. Yumi Teruya and Everton Arashiro are credited as themselves. No writers are listed in the supplied credits.
- Yumi Teruya as Self
- Everton Arashiro as Self
Release and production context
Okinawa Saudade is a 2026 documentary from Japan, with a listed release date of October 31, 2026. It runs for 1 hour and 50 minutes and is presented in Japanese, Portuguese and English. The supplied production information does not list a production company.
Movies Dock view
With its focus on Okinawan-Brazilian descendants returning to their ancestral homeland, Okinawa Saudade offers a documentary perspective on cultural inheritance and reconnection. The film’s multilingual format and extended runtime provide context for a story grounded in Okinawa’s history and culture.
Frequently asked questions
What is Okinawa Saudade about?
It is a documentary about Okinawan-Brazilian descendants returning to their ancestral homeland and engaging with Okinawa’s history and culture.
Who directed Okinawa Saudade?
Yoju Matsubayashi directed the film.
Who appears in Okinawa Saudade?
Yumi Teruya and Everton Arashiro appear as themselves.
What languages are spoken in the documentary?
The film is presented in Japanese, Portuguese and English.
How long is Okinawa Saudade?
The runtime is 1 hour and 50 minutes.














