Photos courtesy of National Archives
Members of the Manzanar Guayule Project survey a field of guayule and temporary lath structures.

A screening of the new documentary “Little Guayule: The Lost Manzanar Rubber Project” will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Manzanar National Historic Site, 5001 U.S.-395, Independence.

Two showings of the approximately one-hour film will take place, one at 12 p.m. and another at 2 p.m. Each screening will be followed by a moderated panel discussion featuring film director Cory Shiozaki and others, who will share additional information about the making of the film and the history of guayule cultivation at Manzanar.

Attendance is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Guayule, a plant native to the desert Southwest, is a natural source of non-latex rubber. During World War II, the Japanese Empire’s occupation of much of Southeast Asia meant that the Allies lost access to major sources of natural rubber.

In a remarkable story of skill, resilience, and ingenuity, Japanese Americans incarcerated at Manzanar and elsewhere worked to cultivate guayule and dramatically improve methods for extracting rubber from the plant. “Little Guayule” helps bring this little-known chapter of Manzanar history to light.

RSVP recommended. For more information, call (310) 729-6541 or email 2filmdocs@gmail.com.