“Craft of Speed,” a documentary about Mooneyes, will be screened on Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Japanese American National Museum’s Democracy Center, 100 N. Central Ave. in Little Tokyo.
Dive into the 30-year story of Mooneyes with this film about two Japanese and Japanese American hot rodders who saved the iconic American speed parts company, built the brand Mooneyes, and popularized hot rod culture in Asia.
Following the screening is a conversation with Craft of Speed producer, writer, and director Ming Lai, Mooneyes USA President Chico Kodama, and curator of the JANM exhibition “Cruising J-Town” Oliver Wang.
As Asian and Asian American pioneers in their industry, Shige Suganuma and Chico Kodama battled against racism and xenophobia and ultimately created a global following. Now, Suganuma is expanding hot rod culture despite declining interest in hot rods, and Kodama is handcrafting a new race car to try to break a second land speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats.
Admission: $5 general, free for JANM members and youth under 18.
Presented in conjunction with “Cruising J-Town: Behind the Wheel of the Nikkei Community,” on view through Dec. 14 at Peter and Merle Mullin Gallery, ArtCenter College of Design, 1111 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Pasadena.
Info/tickets: www.janm.org/events/2025-12-02/screening-craft-speed-documentary-about-mooneyes