10/30 - 11/09 - Hawaii Int'l Film Festival

11.05 - Posted by Editor

10/30 - 11/09 - Hawaii Int'l Film Festival

The Hawaii International Film Festival typically screens many Asian American and Asian films -- this year is no exception. Visit the official website and read on for info about Hawaii-based films.

From the official press release:

LOUIS VUITTON HAWAII PRESENTS THE HAWAII INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OFFERS THE LARGEST SELECTION OF HAWAII BASED FILMS

Film Festival includes 37 films, documentaries and film shorts from Hawaii film makers

HONOLULU – The Hawaii International Film Festival offers the largest selection of Hawaii-based films. The film festival includes 37 films, documentaries and film shorts from Hawaii film makers. Hawaii based films in the “Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi” section of the festival are eligible for the prestigious Hawaii Filmmaker Award.

“It gives us great satisfaction to premiere Hawaii based films and this year we have 37 films, documentaries and film shorts,” said Chuck Boller, executive director at HIFF. “We love supporting local filmmakers and it is always our hope that the Hawaii International Film Festival is a launching pad for our talented Hawaii filmmakers. Some wonderful examples are Kayo Hatta - PICTURE BRIDE, Benson Lee - MISS MONDAY, David Cunningham - BEYOND PARADISE and TO END ALL WARS, Eric Byler - CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES and more recently Aaron Yamasato – BLOOD OF THE SAMURAI. This year is no different with the much anticipated world premiere of Nathan Kurosawa’s new feature film THE RIDE.”

“The Hawaii International Film Festival is an extremely important event for our Hawaii Filmmakers,” said Donne Dawson, State Film Commissioner for the Hawaii Film Office. “It is one of the best opportunities for filmmakers to showcase their work, which is one of the reasons why the Hawaii Film Office feels it’s so important to lend our support to this important event. Given our budgetary constraints, supporting festivals is a way for us to support Hawaii filmmakers.”

“The Hawaii International Film Festival has been a godsend for THE RIDE since Chuck and the staff have been going above and beyond in helping us to get the exposure we could only dream of,” said Nathan Kurosawa the Director and Producer of THE RIDE. “Being a local filmmaker, it’s reassuring to know that there is an internationally acclaimed film festival that showcases films made here in Hawaii. Sometimes small, independent films have a difficult time getting the exposure needed to help the filmmaker move forward in the distribution process.” Watch the much anticipated world premiere of Nathan Kurosawa’s new feature film THE RIDE at the Waikiki Sunset on the Beach on November 1st at 6:00 p.m. and at the Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Academy of Arts on November 3rd at 8:30 PM.

“We were pinching ourselves when our film, BLOOD OF THE SAMURAI, was accepted for the 2001 Hawaii International Film Festival, and then winning the Hawaii Filmmaker Award was a dream come true,” said Aaron Yamasato, Director of BLOOD OF THE SAMURAI. “The award helped us get into numerous film festivals and generate terrific exposure. It made all the difference with the film industry leading to the Mountain Apple Company distributing the DVD and Oceanic showing my new television series. If it wasn’t for HIFF, I don’t think things would have gone as far as they have.” BLOOD OF THE SAMURAI DVD is now available at Tower Records, Sam’s Club, Borders, and Costco. The new BLOOD OF THE SAMURAI television series starts in mid-November and will be shown on Oceanic 16. Check the website www.bloodofthesamurai.com for more information.

“The Hawaii International Film Festival is the largest venue for local filmmakers to showcase their work and share it with a larger audience. The diverse programming taps into the pulse of the filmmaking community which is an indicative of the larger issues facing our islands,” said Leah Kihara, director of I SCREAM, FLOATS & SUNDAYS winner of the Hawaii Filmmaker Award in 2002. “Winning the award has inspired a lot of people seeing that a small independent film can get critically recognized. It opened up a lot of doors in term of working with high quality actors and experienced crew in other projects such as my current film, KAVA KULTCHA. The recognition also helped propelled the film to other festivals as far away as Switzerland and New York.” Watch this award winning filmmaker’s new film KAVA KULTCHA at this year’s film festival. Check the website www.punkproductions.tv for more information.

HAWAII FEATURE FILMS

1. THE RIDE [World Premiere/Waikiki Sunset on the Beach/ Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by City and County of Honolulu, Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 90 min., English
Director: Nathan Kurosawa

THE RIDE’s brilliant performances and faithful local dialogue refreshes HIFF audience’s perception of Hawai’i films, bringing forth an urge to redefine its conventions. The honor of earning his place as the youngest world champion of all time in his sport brings the usual perks for 21-year old professional surfer David Monroe – select females, corporate and label endorsements, an army of fans, an agent, limo’ rides, and the occasional explosions of arrogance. He even surmises that the misadventures following a mishap on the waves in his next competition – landing him in 1911 Waikiki, no less – can only be explained as a well-orchestrated prank by his rivals. Viewers will astonish at THE RIDE’s detailed, yet subtle, rendition of early 20th century Oahu – indeed, enough to entice a visualization of walking alongside David’s experience while inviting them to eagerly observe and contemplate the sometimes overused time travel theme from a fresh, distinctive angle.

November 1st, Waikiki Sunset on the Beach, 6:00 p.m.

November 3rd, Doris Duke Theatre, 8:30 PM

2. FIVE YEARS [Indie Scene USA]
Sponsored by Oceanic Time Warner Cable
U.S, 2002, Beta SP, 90 min., English
Director: Brett Wagner
Eric Unger (Timothy Altmeyer) is a construction worker in rural Ohio, specializing in construction and reconstruction of houses, memories, realities and futures. His wife, Renee (Kris Carr), has believed in him and built her life around their marriage and business. When younger brother Colson Unger (Todd Swenson) is released from juvenile prison after serving five years for murder, he comes to live with Eric and Renee. The safe world Renee thought she had begins to crumble, first, with the introduction of this dangerous person into their home; and second with the revelations Colson brings. The events of five years ago come to light, despite obsessive efforts to hide them and reluctance to believe them. As the truth comes into focus for Renee, and her denial is unsustainable, she must decide what constitutes reality from that point forward. FIVE YEARS is the debut film for local Writer/Director Brett Wagner. Based in Hawai`i, Wagner proves his talent to combine story, cast, and photography into a compelling film.

DC1 -- Dole Cannery 1, Fri, Oct 31 9:30 PM
DC1 -- Dole Cannery 1, Sat, Nov 8 3:00 PM

3. THE SYMPOSIUM [World Premiere/Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, VHS, 96 min., English
Director: Michael Wurth
A modern version of Plato’s work exploring the definition of love, THE SYMPOSIUM’s storyline closely matches that of the 2,500 year old dialogue, and the character’s opinions of love are almost exactly as Plato outlined them. A teacher and writer, Thomas, hosts a party for colleagues to celebrate his recent play. A disagreement unfolds about what the play meant ‘on a deeper level,’ and as they begin to explore its meaning, another guest suggests that he’s not surprised that they can’t agree. The basic concepts we take for granted aren’t as clear in our minds as we believe: jealousy, anger, love. Everyone protests, claiming that love is easy to define, so he proposes a contest: each of them has to give their definition of what love is: the winner gets a weekend in the best bed in breakfast in town. In the course of their discussion, everyone finds a secret revealed: about past and present lovers, lost children, infidelities, and even suppressed desires. The revelations turn out to be so explosive that one of the participants may not survive. Drawing inspiration from films like ROPE, MY DINNER WITH ANDRE, and WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, THE SYMPOSIUM was shot in 24 frame miniDV during ten days on Oahu.

DDT -- Doris Duke Theatre, Wed, Nov 5 3:30 PM

HAWAII DOCUMENTARY AND SHORT FILMS

4. DANIEL K. INOUYE: AN AMERICAN STORY [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]

Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 57 min., English
Director: Heather Guigni
Truly an ensemble production, DANIEL K. INOUYE: AN AMERICAN STORY is a fascinating and compelling biography about the life and times of Hawai`i’s renowned and highly respected, Senator Daniel K. Inouye. Through interviews, testimonials, archival and contemporary footage, the documentary assembles a picture of Senator Inouye’s principled fortitude through growing up as a Japanese American in Hawai`i, fighting in World War II and during his rise in American politics. Behind this fascinating biography is a group of accomplished and talented local filmmakers. Together, they give a moving and detailed portrait of a man who has not only been part of American history, but has been active in making it. Director/producer Heather H. Giugni successfully transfers the story of an exceptional life into a film of inspiration.

DC1 -- Dole Cannery 1, Nov 5 1:0 0p.m.

5. THEY CALL HER LADY FINGERS (THE BETTY LOO TAYLOR STORY) [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 57 min., English
Director: Patricia Gillespie
THEY CALL HER LADY FINGERS traces the life and career of pianist Betty Loo Taylor from her emergence as child prodigy picking out tunes on the keyboard by ear at age 3 1?2 to her status today as “Hawai`i’s First Lady of Jazz.” Many examples of Ms. Taylor’s startling piano prowess liberally spice this documentary, from her New York classical studies, to her discovery of “bebop”, to her importance of being one of the very few Asian concert pianists of the post-WWII era. Friends and family lend little-known insights into Betty’s personality and giant talent.

playing with

6. LIVING YOUR DYING [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 57 min., English
Director(s): Robert Pennybacker, Joy Chong-Stannard
LIVING YOUR DYING explores the universal question of how to best approach one’s final journey in
life. This film focuses on the insight of the Rev. Dr. Mitsuo Aoki, who views death as a healing process, a key to self-understanding and an opportunity to explore life more fully. Aoki, a seminal figure in Hawai`i’s hospice movement, had his own near death experience after a car accident in the 1960s intensified his interest in what he calls the “mystery” of death. This film explores his personal journey and the stories of four courageous individuals who faced the challenge of “living their dying.”

DDT -- Doris Duke Theatre, Sun, Nov 2 6:00 PM

7. BRADAJO: DA BEGINNING [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 8 min., Pidgin
Director: Natalie Cross
Born and raised in Kauai, Bradajo is a master storyteller who relates his stories in Hawai`i Pidgin. His classic, ‘Da Beginning’, takes us on a spiritual journey of self-discovery back to the source.

playing with

8. QUEEN EMMALANI [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 46 min., English
Director: Mark Jeffers
Once upon a time there was a beautiful and courageous young woman who loved to trek in the upland forest of her Island home. She was Queen Emma Kaleleonalani of the Kingdom of Hawai`i. One such journey in 1871 her company sang, danced, told stories and wrote poetry of their experiences in the magical upland forests of the oldest island, Kauai.

And

9. MALAMA KA AINA [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 31 min., English
Director: Philip Wilson
The challenges of the Robinson Family to continue to preserve and protect their land, ‘Malama Ka Aina.’ Keith Robinson’s Hawaiian endangered plants, as well as animals like the Hawaiian monk seal are important to him and his family, but most importantly of all, to preserve the culture and rich traditions of the residents of Ni`ihau, passed on by the Hawaiian Monarchy.

DDT -- Doris Duke Theatre, Fri, Oct 31 8:15 PM

10. SWEET 'N' SIMPLE [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 35 min., English
Director: Aran Higa
A college girl who has never received a Valentines in her life, is shocked to receive one, and of course, it's from a secret admirer.

playing with

11. THE RIGHT SPOT [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 15 min., English
Director: Jeff Katts
A marriage on the rocks - a housewife is constantly crying because her husband ignores her and won't sit down to solve their problems. She takes the advice of her close friend, which is a method that may seem unorthodox, but has worked wonders for many women looking for a way to save her marriage.

and

12. SEEKING RAINBOWS [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 16 min., English
Director: Mane
Two plus-sized women meet while competing for the last Chocolate Rainbow ice-cream cone. In their quest to satiate themselves with comfort food, they realize the miserable situation they have created for themselves and decide to go on a diet.

DDT -- Doris Duke Theatre, Sun, Nov 2 6:00 PM
DC1 -- Dole Cannery 1, Fri, Nov 7 3:00 PM

13. FINDING ALICIA MACKENZIE [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 26 min., English
Director: Chesley Cannon
Jimbo Welles does his job in the shady realm between crime and the law. But, when the beautiful teenage daughter of his mob-turned-lawyer boss goes missing, Jimbo must put his life on the line to make sure she gets home safely. A clever crime noir film done on a no-string budget, FINDING ALICIA MACKENZIE is a prime example of the egalitarianism of DV filmmaking.

playing with

14. KISSING GOD [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 11 min., English
Director: Ron Patricio
A touching and, at times, gripping family drama about the traits that are taught from father to son. Jack describes to his son Makena his addiction. Makena, who is embarrassed by his father, realizes what his father means through a major event that will forever change his life.

And

15. MEGAN HILL IS MISSING [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 25 min., English
Director: Kyle Kakuno
Commissioned by the State of Hawai`i’s Department of Education, MEGAN HILL IS MISSING is an atypical ‘Afterschool Special.’ On the contrary, it is slickly shot and produced, and looks like an episode of CSI. The story follows Detective James Lowe, as he investigates the disappearance of your average teenage girl. His search leads him to the main causes for her disappearance: teen prostitution, drug use, and apathy from loved ones.

DC1 -- Dole Cannery 1, Tue, Nov 4 6:30 PM
DC1 -- Dole Cannery 1, Fri, Nov 7 6:30 PM

16. EBB & FLOW [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 3 min., English
Director: Michael Ogasawara
A day in the life of downtown Honolulu.

playing with

17. FASHION PLATE [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 3 min., English
Director: Jennifer Goya
FASHION PLATE presents synthetic projections and replications of fashion styles from the early to mid-1900s in action, still and still life.

and

18. FUEL INJEXION [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2002, Beta SP, 2 min., English
Director: Stephen Peringer
A clever CG short chronicling the antics of a robotic Martian mosquito.

and

19. INVERSE REASONING [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 3 min., English
Director: Gerard Elmore
A man ponders about a decision and wonders what it would be like if roles were reversed.

And

20. THE MAKING OF THE KARAOKE VIDEO [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 10 min., English
Director: Gerard Elmore
A hilarious, mostly improvised short on the cutthroat world of karaoke videos. Behind the Music's got nothing on this mutha, yo!

and

21. SUGAR RAID [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 7 min., English
Director: Violet Murakami
After a nuclear holocaust sometime in the future in a mega superstore, mutated candies that come to life battle each other over SUGAR.

and

22. CELEBRATION [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
United States, 2003, Beta SP, 24 min., English
Director: Karie Costa, Todd Locey
Kamehameha School's Hawaiian Ensemble visits Juneau, Alaska to participate in the Sealaska Celebration 2002. Share in the highlights of their fascinating visit!

and

23. SYMPHONY FOR ONE [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 8 min., English
Director: Sherrie Robertson
A blind man boards a bus filled with commuters from all walks of life. Although he is blind, his "vision" gives unique perspective to the lives of his fellow passengers.

DDT -- Doris Duke Theatre, Sat, Nov 1 8:15 PM

24.CRY FOR THE GODS [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 12 min., English
Director: Brandon Dumlao
When Foreigners stumble upon a small Pacific Island, a native girl (Donalyn Dela Cruz) must deal with the changes brought to her people as well as herself.

playing with

25. KAVA KULTCHA [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 14 min., English
Director: Leah Kihara
From HIFF ’02 Hawaii Filmmaker Award winner Leah Kihara comes her latest project. Set in 2012, KAVA KULTCHA portrays a world where one culture dominates. The Global Enforcement Agency’s (GEA) sole task is to abolish all countries, religions, languages, and cultures. Facing tyranny, an underground group of Polynesians continue their traditions in secret – their kava drinking group perpetuate their culture – until one night, the GEA aggressively seeks to eradicate them. Will it be the end of the “kava kultcha?”

and

26. A LEGACY [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 10 min., English
Director: Mane
The Fa'a Samoa reminds Sia of her obligation to the family, always. But Sia decided at a young age she would never do whatever it takes to stop a man from hitting a woman, especially if she is the woman.

and

27. THE RED HIBISCUS [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 8 min., English
Director: Robert Pennybacker
Feeding on the local police’s dead file cases like a five-year old feasting on cake at a birthday party, the Honolulu private eye in THE RED HIBISCUS gumshoes through Chinatown’s sunny side streets and bus lane watering holes to close the book on a 1950s songstress’s fate. The HD stock of the film isn’t the only thing black and white in this hard-boiled short as the solution our detective stumbles upon is one that islanders have known in their hearts for decades.

and

28. SILENT INFILTRATION [Hawaii: Cinema No Ka Oi]
Sponsored by Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 10 min., English
Director: Siana Burgess
A Pacific Islander spy, Agent Sai Lent, is at a crossroads.
Unfortunately, someone is trying to kill him and it could be someone
within his agency.

DDT -- Doris Duke Theatre, Sat, Nov 1 6:00 PM
DC1 -- Dole Cannery 1, Thu, Nov 6 6:30 PM

29. AN UNCOMMON KINDNESS: THE FATHER DAMIEN STORY [Reel Life]
U.S, 2003, Beta SP, 58 min., English
Director: Stephanie Castillo, Walter Josten, Daniel Marra
Narrated by acclaimed actor and Academy Award winner Robin Williams, AN UNCOMMON KINDESS is poignant biography of the legendary Father Damien De Veuster. The film traces the extraordinary life of Father Damien from his youth in the farmlands of Belgium to his humanitarian advocacy as a missionary for people stricken with one of the most feared illnesses at the time: Hansen’s Disease (leprosy). As most people living in Hawai`i know, Father Damien was a beacon of compassion for Hansen’s Disease sufferers, many of whom were ostracized and eventually, banished to Molokai’s Kalaupapa peninsula. The filmmaking triumphant of Stephanie J. Castillo, Walter Josten and Daniel P. Marra do a wonderful job of capturing the integrity of Father Damien and they artfully show how kindness and love can overcome fear.

DDT -- Doris Duke Theatre, Fri, Oct 31 6:00 PM
playing with

30. PUKIKI – THE PORTUGUESE AMERICANS OF HAWAII [Reel Life]
U.S, 2003, Beta SP, 45 min., English
Director: Lui Proenca
This important documentary, directed by a Portuguese Jesuit priest, records the history of Portuguese immigrants and their descendants in Hawai`i – much of which was information handed down orally until recently. Portuguese people arrived in Hawai`i from 1878 through 1913 to work sugar plantations and ranches. The thousands emigrating from Madeira, Azores, and Cape Verde were initially segregated in the plantation camps, but over time, the congenial nature of the Portuguese lent itself to a blending with all cultures found in Hawai`i. Among the many cultural gifts from the Portuguese was the ukulele, which contributed significantly to the development of Hawaiian music as we know it today. This documentary explores other distinct contributions in engineering, ranching, food, and religious diversity all heavily interwoven in the daily life of Hawai`i.

31. REINCARNATION IN SHANGRI-LA [Reel Life]
Hawaii, 2003, Beta SP, 37 min., English
Director: Krystal Wong, Dan Liu
REINCARNATION IN SHANGRI-LA celebrates their highest life-achievement of a people in a world controlled by women, a world without marriage, and a world without fathers. In one of the last and true matriarchal societies in the world today, the Mosuo people of this mystical region of Shangri-La in China, vigorously strive toward a birth in death with strict reverence to their gods, nature and themselves.

DC1 -- Dole Cannery 1, Sun, Nov 2 6:30 PM
DC1 -- Dole Cannery 1, Mon, Nov 3 3:00 PM

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32. HAWAIIAN HEALING [Reel Life]
U.S, 2003, Beta SP, 60 min., English
Director: John Zak
This film delivers words of wisdom from Hawai`i’s own healing force. Interviews with several practitioners that combine lomi lomi, medicinal herbs, prayer, dance, and/or song, delve into how they provide healing for the body and spirit in uniquely Hawaiian ways. The healing arts strive to harmonize the metaphysical and physical with philosophies practiced no where else in the world.

33. AMERICAN ALOHA – HULA BEYOND HAWAII [Reel Life]
U.S, 2003, Beta SP, 53 min., English
Director: Lisette Flanary, Evan Siebens
AMERICAN ALOHA: HULA BEYOND HAWAI´I takes a look beyond the usual misconceptions of the hula by exploring the personal stories of three master hula teachers in California who are struggling to preserve their culture even though they no longer live in Hawai´i. With tourism as the main industry of the islands, Hawaiians have found themselves displaced by economics and the cost of living, forcing them to find another home. As large migrations of islanders have come to the mainland, the hula has traveled with them. From the suburbs of Los Angeles to the Bay Area and even beyond, the hula dance is a living tradition that sustains the culture as it evolves on distant shores.

DDT -- Doris Duke Theatre, Tue, Nov 4 8:15 PM

34. ROAD TO THE TITLE [Reel Life]
U.S, 2003, Beta SP, 12 min., English
Director: Darin Fujimori
A great documentary that traces the day in the life of hometown boxing hero Brian Viloria!

DC1 -- Dole Cannery 1, Sun, Nov 2 1:00 PM
[Shown with a non Hawaii film THAI BOXING: A FIGHTING CHANCE, 50 min.]

35/36. ARIRANG PART I & II [Spotlight on Korea]
Sponsored by The Korea Daily of Hawaii, Korean Air and TheoDavies Euromotors
U.S., 2002, Beta SP, 112 min., English w/English Subtitles/Korean
Director: Tom Coffman, Ryan Kawamoto

The award-winning ARIRANG Part I: The Korean American Journey and Part II: The Korean American Dream is a fitting tribute for the Korean Centennial – celebrating the 100th anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States. When Part I begins in 1903, the Koreans no sooner arrive America than their homeland is take over by Japan, which attempts to stamp out Korean language and culture and reduce Koreans to second-class Japanese. The Korean sojourners become American settlers, and eventually, organize to become political and fight the good fight with for the mother country. Part II begins with the dramatic renewal of migration from the Korean War and the subsequent change in U.S. immigration law. With a emergence of entrepreneurship and upward mobility, as well as the catalyst of the Rodney King riots, Korean-Americans go through a transition from anonymity to national prominence.

DC1 -- Dole Cannery 1, Wed, Nov 5 11:00a.m.

37. LOS ZAFIROS – MUSIC FROM THE EDGE OF TIME [Reel Life]
U.S., 2003, Beta SP, 54 min., English
Director: Lorenzo DeStefano [Hawaii based filmmaker]
This wonderful documentary skillfully weaves multiple genealogies of Cuba through the famed musical group, Los Zafiros. Often thought of as “Cuba’s Beatles,” the unique sounds, rhythms and styles of the Los Zafiros represent a unique moment in Cuban history.Using archival and contemporary footage, director/producer Lorenzo Destefano crafts a charming biography about the life and times of each band member and how they came to embody the complexities and genialities of Cuban culture. Destefano gives insight into how the Los Zafiros affected Cuba and Cuban music while highlighting the tender, and sometimes raw, humanity behind the music. Like Ry Cooder’s BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, Destefano’s LOS ZAFIROS is profound in its documentation of how music is a way of life in Cuba. What we learn from the Los Zafiros is that good music is organic, infectious, delicious and healing. A fantastic documentary!

DDT -- Doris Duke Theatre, Fri, Nov 7 6:00 PM
DDT -- Doris Duke Theatre, Sat, Nov 1 3:30 PM

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Louis Vuitton Hawaii Presents Hawaii International Film Festival 2003 kicks off its 23rd annual event held on Oahu on October 30th – November 9th and the neighbor islands from November 7 – 9. Advance tickets for the festival are available at the HIFF box office located in the Signature Dole Cannery Theatres complex starting October 21st. Program guides are available statewide at Blockbuster Video stores. Movie ticket prices are $8.00 or $6.00 for HIFF members. Basic membership starts at $50 and include 6 tickets. All movie pass membership starts at $250 and includes a pass to all movies, filmmaker receptions, and award ceremonies.

The box office hours are as follows:

October 21 – 29
Monday through Sunday – Noon. to 6:00 p.m.

October 30 – November 9
Monday through Saturday – Noon. to 10:30 p.m.
Sunday – 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

For more information, call 528-HIFF [4433] or visit online at www.hiff.org .

Established in 1981, Louis Vuitton Hawaii presents Hawaii International Film Festival is dedicated to advancing understanding and cultural exchange among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific, and North America through the medium of film. HIFF is considered one of the world’s premiere film events ideally positioned two months before The Academy Awards®. This year’s festival includes over 150 features, documentaries and film shorts plus numerous film seminars. The festival has premiered such movies as Crouching Tiger - Hidden Dragon, Once Were Warriors, The Piano, Shine, Shall We Dance and Y Tu Mama Tambien.