ʻŌiwi Film Festival at Honolulu Museum of Art November 8-12
Dedicated to work directed by indigenous Hawaiian filmmakers, the ‘Ōiwi Film Festival at the Honolulu Museum of Art celebrates Hawai‘i’s burgeoning film culture and showcases stories told from a Hawaiian perspective. See new shorts and features from established and emerging Hawaiian directors with special guests and filmmakers in attendance throughout the festival.
Film:
E Haku Inoa: To Weave A Name + Kae
Showtimes:
Friday Nov 08 06:00 PM
Saturday Nov 09 01:00 PM
Wednesday Nov 13 07:30 PM
About the Film:
Opening night reception
Nov 8, 6-7:30pm. Join us for Hawaiian food, beer, wine and live music. Guests will also have a chance to see the newly reinstalled Arts of Hawai‘i Gallery. A blessing will be held at 7:30pm before the screening of E Haku Inoa: To Weave A Name.
E Haku Inoa: To Weave A Name
Directed by Christen Hepuakoa Marquez. 2013. USA. 57 mins.
In this documentary about identity, family, and memory, filmmaker Christen Hepuakoa Marquez sets out to discover the meaning of her lengthy Hawaiian name, as given to her by her schizophrenic mother. Marquez discovers not only herself within the name, but gains a new perspective on the idea of sanity and how cultural differences can sometimes muddle its definition. Narrating her journey from the islands to Seattle (and from childhood to adulthood), Marquez paints a picture of heartbreak and understanding that stresses the importance of the places we call home, and the power of the things we promise never to forget. Official Selection: CAAMFest, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, Guam International Film Festival, Hawaii International Film Festival.
View the trailer.
-screens with–
Kae (short)
Directed by Lana Dang. USA. 2012. 10 mins.
A stern father and his two kids must learn to cast down their fishing nets in order to capture a moment of connection.
Film:
Let's Play Music: Slack Key with Cyril Pahinui & Friends
Showtimes:
Saturday Nov 09 07:30 PM
Sunday Nov 10 01:00 PM
About the Film:
Directed by Na'alehu Anthony. 2013. USA. 57 mins.
Cyril Pahinui, son of recording legend Gabby “Pops” Pahinui, is universally recognized as a master of slack-key guitar. This intimate documentary follows Cyril, his friends, and family—which includes some of the best musicians in Hawai‘i—as they play music, talk story and reminisce about Cyril’s legendary father. Featuring Roland Cazimero, Palani Vaughan, Kawika Kahiapo, Dennis Kamakahi, Mike Kaawa, Sonny Lim, Greg Sardinha, Peter Moon Jr., Jeff Au Hoy and Kunia Galdeira. Official Selection: CAAMFest.
Anthony's last feature film, Papa Mau: The Wayfinder, took him far afield on a journey to Micronesia, but he found just as big a thrill filming Let's Play Music in a Waimānalo backyard as he did going to distant Satawal.
Recreating Gabby Pahinui’s famed backyard kanikapila sessions on film “in Waimānalo was one of the most epic shoots we’ve ever done,” says Anthony. “The musical talent of those guys was unmatched. When Uncle Cyril asked Kawika [Kahiapo] to come, Kawika wrote a song about Waimānalo that night. The first time he played it that evening was the take we used. Bang. I’ve been on some cool journeys, but to be able to take part in a film about the legacy of Gabby Pahinui was such a great honor.”
How did he wind up doing the film? "It was a perfect storm," says Anthony. "I had been working on projects with Pacific Islanders in Communications, and they wanted to do another music film, and I said it wsn’t really my thing. Then someome called me who knows Uncle Cyril—they want to do a show. I knew a funder…" And a film project was born.
"One of the important things I wanted to see happen was I wanted Cyril to own the rights to the music and film. Hawaiian artists in general have been shut out of this part of the music business. The film rights for Let's Play Music goes into the Pahinui family legacy."
Film:
Kalo Culture
Showtimes:
Sunday Nov 10 07:30 PM
Tuesday Nov 12 01:00 PM
About the Film:
Directed by Kamuela Vance. 2012. USA. 61 mins.
Follow taro farmer Daniel Anthony, his family, and friends during the three days leading up to the Haleiwa Taro Festival, and learn how taro—and the traditional pounding of it— became the core of his life and small business, Mana‘Ai (meaning “powerful food”). Featuring local artists, activists, musicians, and poets, such Makana, Noa Helela, Kealoha, Ernie Cruz Jr., Paula Fuga, Mike Love and Laulani Tealewho, Kalo Culture addresses how the traditions, culture, and way of life associated with taro farming and preparation are in danger of becoming extinct in the face of western influence, development, and competition in the poi industry. Official Selection: Hawaii International Film Festival.
View the trailer.
Special guests at Nov 10, 7:30pm screening: Kamuela Vance and Daniel Anthony. Anthony will do a kalo-pounding demo.
Film:
‘Ōiwi Shorts Showcase
Showtimes:
Tuesday Nov 12 07:30 PM
Wednesday Nov 13 01:00 PM
About the Film:
Directors: Lana Dang, Kale Kaaikala, Ann Marie Kirk, Erin Lau. 78 mins.
Kae
Directed by Lana Dang. 2012. USA. 10 mins.
A stern father and his two kids must learn to cast down their fishing nets in order to capture a moment of connection.
Chout
Directed by Kale Kaaikala. 2013. USA. 13 mins.
See Maui’s urban infrastructure through the lens of the island’s most talented skateboarders.
Koa 'Ohana
Directed by Erin Lau. 2013. USA. 18 mins.
A rebellious teenager attempts to follow in the footsteps of her late father to become an MMA fighter.
View the trailer.
Little Girl's War Cry
Directed by Erin Lau. 2013. USA/Cook Islands. 17 mins.
A Maori girl shelters herself from reality with her hero-centered imagination, until a prank goes wrong and she must confront the violence that stains her childhood and family. Winner: Best Student Film, Hawaii International Film Festival EuroCinema Hawai’i.
Small Kine Stories
Directed by Ann Marie Kirk. 2013. USA. 20 mins.
Listen as kūpuna tell stories about the areas where they live, from Manana Island on O‘ahu to Mahukona on Hawai'i Island.
Categories: Film Festival, Screening