Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 12, 1 December 1991 — Festival features Hawaiian filmmakers [ARTICLE]

Festival features Hawaiian filmmakers

Hawaiian musician and filmmaker Eddie Kamae will premiere his second locally produced documentary film as part of the 1991 Hawai'i International Film Festival Dec. 1-14. The Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) enters its second decade with a two-week schedule that introduces environmental and children's sections as part of the presentation of more than 100 films and videos by filmmakers from Hawai'i, Asia, the Pacific and North America. The O'ahu portion of the festival runs from Dec. 1-7, with Maui, Kaua'i, and the Big Island, Lana'i and Moloka'i welcoming the festival from Dec. 814. In addition to feature films, documentaries and short subjects, the festival will host seminars, workshops and symposiums. Following the award-winning success of "Li'a — The Leqacy of a Hawaiian Man," Kamae has conceived and directed "Listen to the Forest" a film about preservation and respect for Hawaii's natural environment. Throughout the film, Kamae echoes the message he says the forest is sending to all of us. "The forest is crying out," says Kamae. "We need to listen ... I don't just mean the beautiful sounds of the birds and the wind in the ohi'a but the message that the old Hawaiians who lived close to the earth ean still hear and remember." The Hawai'i International Film Festival, whieh was founded in 1981 by the East-West Center, became an independent, non-profit corporation last year.

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For details on the festival line-up, eall 944-7007. Auhea Oe E Ke Kumu USA (Hawai'i) Director: Puhipau and Joan Lander 1991 28 minutes The video documentary Auhea Oe E Ke Kumu works to inform, advocate and inspire; it is intended to recruit teachers for pre-schools and elementary schools on O'ahu, Maui, and the Big Island in whieh the Hawaiian language is spoken. Entirely in Hawaiian, with English subtitles, Auhea Oe E Ke Kumu is a moving introduction to efforts to revive the Hawaiian language as a way to preserve a culture. Eyes on Hawaiian Skies USA (Hawai'i) Director: Miek Kalber 1991 46 minutes The total solar eclipse of July 11 passed directly over observatories on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa at a time of peak solar activity. Mauna Kea is acknowledged by astronomers as the best plaee on earth for optical, infrared and sub-millimeter observations; as one says, "The quality of the images we get there is far superior to anywhere else on earth." Eyes on Hawaiian Skies examines the facilities and work of the observatories, and documents the eclipse. Written, photographed and edited by Kalber, with additional footage from various sources. Narrated by Dunbar Wakayama, with original music by Bob Kindler. Part of the Hawaii Filmakers Section. Goodbye Paradise USA (Hawai'i) Director: Dennis Christianson 1991 109 minutes World Premiere A feature-length film written, shot and edited entirely in Hawai'i, Goodbye Paradise tells the story of a landmark nightclub in downtown Honolulu — the Paradise Inn — that after 60 years of service must close its doors in the wake of urban renewal. The veteran manager of the club, Joe Martin (played by Honolulu TV news anchorman Joe Moore), is invited to manage the new restaurant that will replace the Paradise, but he finds himself increasing disturbed at the prospect. The film examines the issues confronting Honolulu — human displacement, poliheal corruption and personnel

greed — in a frank disturbing manner. Also with Ellisa Dulce, James Hong and Richard Vales. Guardian of Your Heart USA (Hawai'i) Directors: Angela Angel and Bree Briliande 1991 8 minutes Excellent lighting, camera work and editing highlight this music video about a successful young businessman (Hans Altweis) who wistfully yearns for a more emotionally satisfying life. The title song, "Guardian of Your Heart," is sung by Roslyn Kauahikaua. Music is arranged and produced by Roslyn and David Kauahikaua. Choreography by Dustin Sparks. Hawaii: Beyond the Feathered Gods USA (Hawaii) Director: Paul Atkins 1991 50 minutes Humankind's tortuous relationship with the rest of nature in the Hawaiian Islands is unflinchingly examined in this beautifully photographed documentary. Hawai'i: Beyond the Feathered Gods looks at the forces that impact the ecology of the Hawaiian Islands; it spans from pre-contactdays (when bird-catchers killed off huge numbers of birds by collecting brightly colored feather's for the ali'i) to the modern-day rampages of feral pigs and urban development. The story is told through dramatic reenactments, documentary techniques and nature footage shot from the top of Hawaii's highest mountain to the bottom of its once-pristine sea. Hawaii: Everything You Want it to Be USA (Hawai'i) Director: Mique Quenzer • 1991 15 minutes Mueh of the work of Hawaii's loeal film industry involves the production of films and videos to meet the specific needs of a sponsoring business of agency. Hawai'i: Everything You Want it to Be was produced for the Film Industry Branch of the state's Department of Business, Eeonomie Development and Tourism to generate more film production in Hawai'i: It shows stunning visual images around the state, many of them meant to break the sun, surf and palm tree image of Hawai'i. It includes quick interviews with Hollywood ad international filmmakers who have worked in Hawai'i and with loeal resources, pointing out the many advantages of Hawai'i as a practical location. He Makana No Na Kumu Kula — A Gift for Teachers of Hawaiian Students USA (Hawai'i) Director: Puhipau and Joan Lander 1991 30 minutes This documentary, nicely labelled a "gift" to new teachers of Hawaiian students, explains some of the cultural patterns of Hawaiian students and others who grow up in an area heavily influenced by Hawaiian traditions. Clearly, the intended indirect beneficiaries of this gift are the Hawaiian students themselves. He Makana No Na Kumu Kula is a fascinating glimpse at some of the cultural differences that touch the lives of all who live in Hawai'i. In one memorable scene, for example, a kupuna explains why Wai'anae boasts few tennis stars but lots of great football teams. Part of the Hawaii Filmakers Section.

Legacy of Excellence USA (Hawai'i) Director: Richard J. Tibbetts Jr. 1991 59 minutes Most in Hawai'i know about the cultural "renaissance" of the hula and chant. Farther from sight, and far less appreciated, are the efforts to preserve arts and crafts traditions. Tapa making, lauhala weaving, gourd decoration, pahu drum making and wood carving are among the activities explored in Legacy of Excellence through interviews with, and observations of, modernday artisans. Although the traditional oral links to past generations have been broken, these artisans endeavor

to restore ties using ancient and modern techniques. The "Legacy of Excellence" is depicted through historical reenactments, as well as through the examination, of Hawaiian antiquities. With narrationby Robert Cazimero. Listen to the Forest USA (Hawai'i) Director: Eddie Kamae 1991 48 minutes World Premiere The forest people and art of the Big Island are the stars of Eddie Kamae's new film, Listen to the Forest, whieh emphasizes the powerful connection between Hawaii's natural history and cultural life. Listen to the Forest examines an older form of ecological wisdom, one that is summed up in the phrase aloha aina (a caring affection for the earth, whieh provides those that dwell upon it with a home and spiritual nourishment). Kumu Hula Pua Kanahele is featured in many elegant sequences as are modern day scientists who discuss the plight of birds, tiny animals and insects that are native and vital to the Hawaiian rainforest. Part of the Hawai'i Filmmakers Section. Night Walker USA (Hawai'i) Director: Krys Cleveland 1991 10 minutes This Hawai'i student film by Kalaheo student Cleveland is a nicely realized short tale with an O. Henry twist at the end. It tells the story of a street person who reveals to a stranger all he knows about a series of shocking deaths. The film is set on New Orleans Bourbon Street, just a few minutes before midnight. Featuring Cleveland as the stranger and Erik Floyd as the street person. Music by Cleveland.

Puamana USA (Hawai'i) Director: Les Blank Producer: Meleanna Meyer 1991 30 minutes World Premiere Puamana focuses on Irmagard Farden Aluli, one of Hawaii's best loved and most prolific songwriters. Aluli's songs reflect the life of Hawai'i from her youth until today. Auntie Irmgard, as she is affectionately known, is one of 13 children in the musical Farden family. Puamana is the name of the Farden homestead in Lahaina; it is also the group she performs with (whieh includes two daughters and a nieee). Now in her eighties, she remains an inspiration to her ohana and all Hawaiians. The film expresses the importance of love of family, of the land and of heritage. Shot on O'ahu and Maui, Puamana also features the late Auntie Emma Farden Sharpe and other members of the Farden family. Save the Parsley USA (Hawai'i) Director: Gregg Hartling 1991 9 minutes This student video produced under the auspices of the Kalaheo High School Communication Arts Learning Center is a tongue-in-cheek look at the weird fringes of environmentalism. This humorous film takes its theme from a conversation overheard by a eouple in a restaurant. "Most people eat what they order," a voice say, "but what is the one thing they bring you that you didn't order and don't eat?" Part of the Hawai'i Filmmakers Section. Teaching Peaee USA (Hawai'i) Director: Puhipau and Joan Lander 1991 27 minutes Sister Anna McAnany is as close to being Hawaii's Mother Teresa as anyone is likely to eome in this century. A constant crusader for peaee in Central America, the Maryknoll nun also works tirelessly for continued page 11

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peaee mueh cioser to home. In 1981, she pioneered the Waianae Peaee Education Program to teach nonviolent living techniques to the children of the area through stories, exercises, song and games. Using simple, straightforward video documentary techniques, Teaching Peaee introduces a program most people outside Waianae know little or nothing about; the filrn is also a potent reminder of how individua!s ean make a difference in the world around them with little selflessness and a lot of dedication. Volcanoscapes 3 . . . Living on the Edge USA (Hawai'i) Director: Miek Kalber 1991 56 minutes

The lava flow frorn Kilauea Volcano unexpectedly began a concentrated attack on the community of Kalapana — one of the most beautifu! plaee in Hawai'i - in 1988. Residents of Kalapana began "living on the edge" as the vo!cano pumped out a half million yards of lava a day, most of it flowing through lava tubes directly toward the town. Volcanoscapes 3 . . . Living on the Edge documents the final months of Kalapana using footage of lava flows and burning buildings and the words and images of the people who watched lives burn away. Written, photographed and edited by Big Island videographer Kalber, with additional footage from various sources. Narrated by Kaupena Wong, with original music composed by Bob Kind!er and performed by Kindler and members of the Honolulu Symphony.