The Cats of Mirikitani

With cinematic portraits, the subject’s the thing. So documentarian Linda Hattendorf was lucky to find Jimmy Mirikitani, a charming octogenarian artist living on the streets of Soho. After 9/11, Hattendorf took Mirikitani in and, while attempting to get him some assistance, delved into his dramatic background. Born in the U.S. but raised in Japan, he returned stateside to pursue art but was shipped off to a World War II internment camp, where he lost his family, his dreams and his citizenship. Hattendorf took a risk in opening her home to Mirikitani—but the gamble paid off for everyone, including viewers of this fascinating film. (Opens Fri; Cinema Village.) — Raven Snook