Tsunami doc awarded at Berlin festival

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BERLIN, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- A documentary about a Japanese man who rebuilt his home after it was destroyed by a tsunami, got a special mention at the Berlin International Film Festival.

The film, "Senzoninaru," called "Roots" in English, was singled out by the ecumenical jury at the film festival, Japan's Kyodo News reported Saturday.

The documentary features Naoshi Sato, 78, whose home was destroyed by a tsunami caused by an earthquake in March 2011 in Japan. The film follows as Sato eventually rebuilds his home and life as a farmer in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, after the disaster that killed his eldest son.

Director Kaoru Ikeya said he is honored to receive the special mention by the film festival and is thrilled the film touched viewers, the Kyodo News reported.