Independent film comedy “Big Dreams Little Tokyo” screens at AFI Fest, Nov. 2-3.

A Japanese American whose language skills aren’t up to par to Wilson’s, he spends his days eating and wallowing in his mawashi (Japanese wrestling thong) about being rejected by sumo academies because of his small stature. Not earning enough to pay rent, the odd duo devise ways to stay afloat, from teaching English to delivering mediocre sushi halfway across town by bicycle.

David Boyd and Jayson Watabe strike a pose on the streets on San Jose.

Offering a witty look at societal notions of identity, “Big Dreams Little Tokyo” will strike a chord for those who had ever hoped to become more Japanese than they really are. Whether it be looking but not playing the part, or vice-versa, the film provides solace to those who have ever felt completely alone in their struggle to assimilate. Written and directed by filmmaking newcomer David Boyle, the film is loosely based on real-life experiences, though in Boyle’s case, none of which took place in Japan. “I’ve never been to Japan, but I learned to speak Japanese while volunteering in Australia,” said Boyle. “Everybody is always surprised when I tell them that, but I was assigned to work in the Japanese community and was very immersed in the language for several years.”

Boyle met Jayson Watabe (Jerome) while they served as Mormon missionaries in Sydney between 2001 and 2003. Watabe, who spent his life between Tokyo and the U.S., was the perfect embodiment of a culture clash, said Boyle. Growing to become best friends, the two talked of returning to the States to make films together.

Boyle said he never had a social agenda for the film–though in creating oddball characters he hoped to make a film that ventured beyond old Hollywood stereotypes. “Individual personality is stronger than any kind of cultural paradigm and I hope the characters exemplify that,” he said.

Other characters in the film include a Mexican short-order cook with rudimentary Spanish skills, a Nikkei bookstore owner (played by “Heroes” star James Kyson Lee) with a vendetta against the customer-stealing Wilson, and a lonely Japanese nurse (East West Players actress Rachel Morihiro) who fits English lessons in her schedule with hopes of gaining affection from her American teacher. Eccentric and endearing, each character adds to the light-hearted adventures Wilson and Jerome get themselves into in simply trying to pay rent.
Boyle’s next film is entitled “White on Rice” and will star Hiroshi Watanabe, costar in Clint Eastwood’s upcoming film “Letters from Iwo Jima.”

“After ‘Big Dreams’ was finished, I was originally going to go in a completely new direction,” Boyle said, “but I loved the supporting actors in the film so much that I decided to write a project with them in the lead roles.”

Keep your fingers crossed that the next set of characters are just as quirky.

“Big Dreams Little Tokyo” screens during AFI Fest on Thursday, Nov. 2 (9:45 p.m.) and Friday, Nov. 3 (1:30 p.m.) at ArcLight Cinemas, 6360 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. Tickets are $11. For more information visit www.bigdreamslittletokyo.com