LVHIFF is Over! (Almost)

DBEDT's Ted Liu gives the "Film in Hawaii" Award to Mari Hatta, who accepted it on behalf of her sister Kayo, who died earlier this year

The 25th Annual Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival wrapped yesterday (on all islands but the Big Island) with a full day of screenings of the fest's award winners. Thanks to the Honolulu Advertiser's Michael Tsai, who published the winners online at 4:22pm on Friday (2 hours before the awards ceremony), I was able to skip out early on the ceremony to stake out a plum spot in the long buffet line. (Apparently, the word "embargo" was left off the awards press release.)

In true "American Idol" style, Hawaii folks came out en masse to vote for their fellow state-dwellers, so Hawaii films nabbed a healthy number of awards. Here's the full list of winners:

First Hawaiian Bank Golden Maile Awards
* Best Feature: Ian Gamazon & Neill Dela Llana's "Cavite" (Philippines)
* Best Documentary: Florence Ayisi & Kim Longinotto's "Sisters in Law" (U.K., Cameroon)

Hawaiian Airlines Audience Choice Awards
* Best Feature: Frank Lin's "American Fusion" (U.S.)
* Best Documentary: Eddie and Myrna Kamae's "Keepers of the Flame" (U.S./Hawaii)
* Best Short: Ryan Kawamoto's "Sand Island Drive-In Anthem" (U.S./Hawaii)

Hawaii Film & Videomaker Award (Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences)
* Kayo Hatta's "Fishbowl" (U.S./Hawaii)
* Honorable mention to Vince Keala Lucero's "Wahine O Ke Kai" (U.S./Hawaii)

NETPAC Award
* Ning Cai's "Season of the Horse" (Mongolia)

cause & f(x) Dream Digital Award
* Go Shibata's "Late Bloomer" (Japan)

Honolulu Magazine Award for Best Short Film (tie)
* Gerard Elmore's "Valtor the Great vs. the Universe" (U.S./Hawaii)
* Matan Guggenheim's "Crickets" (Israel)

Awards to People & Organizations:
* Hawaii Film Office Film in Hawaii Award: Kayo Hatta
* Eastman Kodak Award for Excellence in Cinematography: Russell Boyd
* LVHIFF Maverick Award: Sonny Chiba
* LVHIFF Lifetime Achievement Awward: Zhang Yimou
* LVHIFF International Achievement in Acting Award: Samuel L. Jackson
* LVHIFF Award of Excellence: Toei Film Studios

And I've put photos of the awards ceremony in my flickr album, so now my 2005 LVHIFF PHOTO ALBUM is complete. Check it out.

>> After 25 years, festival comes into its own [Ebert's fest review, Chicago Sun-Times, 10/29/05]
>> Gripping political drama ‘Cavite’ wins prized HIFF award [Hnl Star-Bulletin, 10/29/05]
>> Hawai'i-linked films take 6 festival awards [Hnl Advertiser, 10/31/05]
>> Big Island hosts Hawaii Film Festival [Hnl Star-Bulletin, 10/31/05]

Darren Aronofsky's Gonna Direct "Lost"

Turns out Darren Aronofsky, director of "Pi" and "Requiem for a Dream," is a big fan of "Lost." In fact, Aronofsky's agents called "Lost" exec producer Carlton Cuse to tell him so, and now, Aronofsky is slated to direct an episode for May sweeps. Pure coincidence? Or is it because both Aronofsky and Cuse went to Harvard?

>> Darren Aronofsky will direct 'Lost' [EW, 10/26/05]

Halting American Cultural Imperialism

Last week, the "Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions" was approved by 148 member countries of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The convention allows countries to exclude cultural goods (movies, music, books, art) from the list of goods governed by international trade rules. In other words, a movie is not that same as lumber or a burger. Ultimately, this means that a country can set quotas on foreign cultural products coming in.

Predictably, the U.S.--the greatest exporter of cultural goods--voted against the convention. The U.S. was joined by Israel as the only opponents of measure. Australia, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Liberia abstained from voting.

Pushed forward by France and Canada, the convention was 2 years in the making, and is seen as a thinly veiled attempt to stem American cultural imperialism or what some call the "McDonaldization of culture" across the globe. According to the Motion Picture Association of America, foreign theatrical distribution of U.S. films brought in $20.3 billion in 2003. Furthermore, as noted at the convention, 85% of global movie ticket expenditures is for U.S. films, and 5 countries monopolize cultural trade while 88 of 185 total countries have never had their own film production.

The U.S. says the convention allows repressive governments to limit the free flow of ideas and information. Louise Oliver, U.S. Ambassador to UNESCO said the measure restricts cultural diversity and "could be used by states to justify policies that could be used or abused to control the cultural lives of their citizens – policies that a state might use to control what its citizens can see; what they can read; what they can listen to; and what they can do. We believe -- in keeping with existing conventions -- that the world must affirm the right of all people to make these decisions for themselves."

The convention has not become international law yet; 30 countries must ratify it first, a process that could take months or even years.

What would happen if it passed? Some say not much since kids the world over could still download music and movies from the Internet. Others say this would be a death knell for U.S. independent films because they'd inevitably compete with big studio productions for export. Think about it: if foreign distributors were forced to choose, would they want to screen starless indies over Tom Cruise blockbusters? The sad part is, it's the indies that push the envelope and tell thought-provoking and unique stories, and help paint a picture of the U.S. as a multicultural, multifaceted place. Now the world will see us even more as cocky white action heroes with cool cars and five guns.

>> General Conference adopts Convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions [UNESCO, 10/20/05]
>> Cultural Diversity: Canada's UN Victory [The Tyee (Canada), 10/28/05]
>> Hollywood the loser as global culture plan backed [The Independent (UK), 10/21/05]
>> A (small) blow against the McDonaldization of culture [The Jamaica Observer, 10/23/05]
>> UNESCO Convention could limit freedom of cultural expressions and trade [U.S. Mission to UNESCO, 10/20/05]

UPDATE (11/2): UN Accord Sparks Concern Among Indie Filmmakers [Reuters/Back Stage, 11/2/05]

RELATED POSTS:
>> Local Filmmakers Left in the Dust
>> The Meaning of "Independent"
>> Indies in Hollywood's Wake

Korea Fever at LVHIFF

"A Bittersweet Life"'s Lee Byung-hun at the LVHIFF Opening Night Party

Hawaii is getting a little taste of hallyu, or the "Korean Wave" sweeping across Asia and beyond. Thanks to the recent proliferation of Korean soap operas, pop idols, and films, the country is experiencing a golden age of sorts. The selection of Korean films and the mania surrounding Korean actors Lee Byung-hun and Lee Ki-woo at the Hawaii International Film Festival this year attest to the fact that hallyu has spread to American shores. Here are the Korean films you can still catch at the fest:

Fri, 10/28, 3:45pm, Dole: Little Brother
Sat, 10/29, 1:30pm, Dole: Little Brother
Sat, 10/29, 3:45pm, Dole: Crying Fist
Sat, 10/29, 4:00pm, Kona: Different Romance
Sun, 10/30, 12:15pm, Dole: A Bittersweet Life (rush line)
Sun, 10/30, 1:30pm, Dole: Different Romance
Sun, 10/30, 3:45pm, Dole: Sad Movie (just added)
Sun, 10/30, 7:00pm, Dole: Blood Rain (rush line)
Fri, 11/4, 5:30pm, Hilo: Little Brother

The other Korean films that showed at HIFF this year include: "The Dictator's Cut," "Sa-kwa," "State of Mind," and official Korean entry for the Oscars, "Welcome to Dongmakol."

>> Korean stars surprised by American fandom [Jim Hill Media, 10/26/05]
>> Hallyu (Korean Wave) [Korea National Tourism Organization]
>> 'Korean Wave' leaves its mark in Asia in 2004 [Korea.net]
>> Gov't to take systematic approach to 'Hallyu' [Korea.net]
>> Hooray for Hallyu-wood? [The Korea Times, 2/22/05]

LVHIFF Blog Up (Finally)!

Fest programmers Anderson Le and Christian Razukas have launched their official Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival blog at last! Except there's just one posting right now, and it links to this blog. Well, with only 4 days left in the fest, perhaps it can be a restrospective blog that will help us remember all the film-and-pupu-filled fun we had. While waiting for more LVHIFF blog posts, keep checking the fest's official schedule updates and eNews. And look at these pics I took yesterday at the Governor's Reception for the fest...

>> 2005 LVHIFF Photo Album

Four LVHIFF Films Vie for Foreign Film Oscar Nom

Fiji's "The Land Has Eyes"

A record 58 countries have officially submitted films for Best Foreign Film Oscar consideration. Three of these films played at this year's Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival: Korea's "Welcome to Dongmakgol" by Kwang-hyun Park, Palestine's "Paradise Now" by Hany Abu-Assad, Taiwan's "The Wayward Cloud" by Tsai Ming-liang, and one was a LVHIFF selection from last year: Fiji's "The Land Has Eyes" written and directed by UH professor Vilsoni Hereniko and produced by Jeannette Paulson Hereniko, founding director of the 25-year old Hawai‘i International Film Festival.

I just watched "Welcome to Dongmakgol" last night, and found myself smiling delightedly through most of it (I know that's cheesy, but you know what I mean). The film had a childlike, magical tone to it, and two sequences in particular--one involving a massive boar, and the other involving popcorn--were pure movie enchantment.

>> 58 Entrants Vie For Foreign Film Oscar Noms [HawaiiChannel.com, 10/26/05]

RELATED POST:
>> LVHIFF Report: Film Good, Video Bad

Warning: Shameless Self-Promotion

The Honolulu Advertiser's Michael Tsai did a "Films with Hawaii ties" round-up today, recommending 4 films: Lane Nishikawa's "Only the Brave" (Sat, 7 pm, Hualalai Cinemas in Kona + 11/4, 7:30pm, Palace Theatre in Hilo.), Cam Eason's "True Love and Mimosa Tea" (tomorrow, 8pm, Dole) Eddie Kamae's "Keepers of the Flame" (tomorrow, 6:15pm, Hawaii Theater), and Andrew Bujalski's "Mutual Appreciation" (tonight, 7:30pm, Dole), co-produced by yours truly [Note: This film was shot 2 years ago in NYC, way before I joined the Hawaii Film Office.] Another Hawaii connection for "Mutual Appreciation" is sound mixer Eric Masunaga, Punahou graduate and former guitarist for local rock band The Dambuilders.

Mike Tsai also did a feature on "Tre," directed and co-written by Moanalua grad Eric Byler, and co-written by Mid-Pac grad Kimberly-Rose Wolter.

>> Films with Island ties worth catching at HIFF
>> Along with true love often is 'Tre'

RELATED POSTS:
>> U.S. Indies at LVHIFF
>> Hawaii Film Panorama at LVHIFF

LVHIFF Report: Politics, Identity and Otherwise

"Conventioneers" director Mora Stephens at a Q&A session last night

Saw two excellent films last night. The first, "Conventioneers," featured amazing real-life footage of the massive protests surrounding the 2004 Republican National Convention in NYC as well as footage inside the RNC itself at Madison Square Garden. This footage was deftly shot and seamlessly blended with the fictional part of the film, a bipartisan love affair. When asked how they managed to get inside Madison Square Garden to capture Bush's speech, Mora Stephens, the director, was coy in answering, saying only "that's a bit of a mystery." Producer Joel Viertel was also in attendance.

Next up was "The Grace Lee Project," directed by--you guessed it--Grace Lee. The film uses a single common Asian American name as a window through which to explore what it means to be an Asian woman in America. The subjects interviewed in the the film were all intriguing personalities, including former Black Panther and still-active Detroit community activist Grace Lee Boggs, former Hawaii KGMB news reporter Grace Lee, a Korean adoptee whose Jewish American parents abused her, and a high school girl who tried to burn down her school. The film was touching and funny. Grace Lee the director was present, along with producer In-Ah Lee. At the Q&A session, the director mentioned that the film will have a run at NYC's Film Forum soon.

>> 2005 LVHIFF Photo Album

RELATED POSTS:
>> U.S. Indies at LVHIFF

Vintage Hawaii Films on the Auction Block

Hawaii librarian and film historian Steven Fredrick is auctioning his amazing collection of 250 original Hawaii-related 16mm films, with a starting bid of $87,500 for the whole lot.

The mostly one-of-a-kind films include surfing films featuring legends like Eddie Aikau and Duke Kahanamoku, newsreels including the Pearl Harbor attack, mystery flicks starring Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, travelogues dating back to the 20s, "soundies" or music videos of hapa-haole bands, and behind-the-scenes footage of Elvis Presley and James A. Michener. The oldest film in the collection is a 1925 silent western starring Duke Kahanamoku as an Indian chief.

A mainland company has already bid for the lot, but Fredrick hopes that someone in Hawaii will step up and bid so that the films can stay where they belong.

For more information, email: filmguy54 *at* hotmail.com

>> Movie history up for bid [Hnl Star-Bulletin, 10/25/05]

LVHIFF Report: Broken Chairs & Boozy Schmoozing

Before the fall: Pre-broken chairs at the "Lost" Panel

It was an exciting day for chair engineers yesterday. At LVHIFF's "Lost" Panel, not one, but two of those ubiquitous American white plastic lawn chairs collapsed--with their occupants still in them! The victims of chair malfunction were "Lost" DP John Bartley and panel moderator and Honolulu Star-Bulletin entertainment columnist Tim Ryan. Other than that, the panel was not too exciting--no insider tidbits or controversies. Boo.

The "Meet the Filmmakers" party also happened yesterday at Tiki's Grill & Bar in the ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel. Nice, balmy evening with boozy schmoozing, but otherwise uneventful. No chairs broke.

I've added photos from both events in my LVHIFF flickr album...

>> 2005 LVHIFF Photo Album

Memorial for Ray Bumatai

The memorial for local actor Ray Bumatai will be held at the following date/time/location:

DATE: Saturday, November 5, 2005
TIME: 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Diamond Head Theatre, 520 Makapuu Ave in Honolulu

RELATED POST
>> Ray Bumatai (1952-2005)

Hawaii Independents

Nathan Kurosawa's "The Ride" premiered at HIFF

Check out Michael Tsai's feature on indie films from Hawaii in today's Honolulu Advertiser. The article highlights films that will be showing at the LVHIFF and quotes the festival's exec director Chuck Boller as saying, "The quality of the local indies is extraordinary this year. Hawai'i has become a hotbed of filmmaking because everyone is so supportive of each other. They all work on each other's projects, sort of like a big film school, and the bar keeps getting raised higher and higher."

The festival's "Hawaii Panorama" showcases have been launching points for filmmakers like Nathan Kurosawa ("The Ride") and James Sereno ("Silent Years"), and have offered a consistent venue for established documentarians like Stephanie Castillo ("Simple Courage," "An Untold Triumph"), who will show "Remember the Boys" this year, a film about Filipino American soldiers in WWII.

See my previous post for more info on the Hawaii films screening at HIFF this year: Hawaii Film Panorama at LVHIFF

>> Independents' days [Hnl Advertiser, 10/23/05]

LVHIFF Update: Kayo Hatta Tribute Rescheduled

"Fishbowl" is Kayo Hatta's last film

Saturday's LVHIFF special tribute screening of Kayo Hatta's "Fishbowl" and "Picture Bride" was rained out and has been rescheduled for today, Sunday, 10/23 at Sunset on the Beach on Waikiki's Queen's Beach. Musical entertainment starts at 5pm and tribute/film program starts at 6:30pm.

>> Filmmaker honored at Waikiki 'Sunset' [Hnl Advertiser, 10/21/05]

RELATED POSTS:
>> Kayo Hatta (1958-2005)
>> Cultural Insensitivity
>> LVHIFF Kicks Off
>> U.S. Indies at LVHIFF
>> Hawaii Film Panorama at LVHIFF

LVHIFF Report: Film Good, Video Bad

Cavite

In the absence of an official Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival blog, which the fest organizers had said they'd do, but so far have not had the time to write (those guys aren't getting any sleep!), I figured I'd try to help fill the void of fest coverage (really, it's just another opportunity for me to rant about something). To that end, some nuggets from last night:

Hany Abu-Assad fielded questions candidly in a session following a screening of his "Paradise Now," an illuminating film that offers the perspectives of Palestinian suicide bombers and those who love them. When asked why he chose to use film instead of the much easier, lighter, less crew-heavy video to shoot in the wartorn region, he replied, "video is uglier than film," and added that film has a timeless quality--unlike video, its beautiful look never gets old. "Paradise Now" will screen again tonight at 6:30pm. If you miss it, catch the theatrical release later thanks to Warner Independent.

Banjong Parkpoom and Pisanthanakun Wongpoom were present to talk about their Thai horror flick, "Shutter." It was highly derivative of the Asian horror films that have become (too) popular in recent years, but still looked great cinematography-wise, and offered some fresh elements. And, according to the directors, it was made for just $1 million, though it looks much more expensive than that. "Shutter" will be remade (with white people, probably) thanks to usual suspects Roy Lee and Doug Davison, who specialize in remaking Asian horror films.

"Cavite"'s directors Ian Gamazon and Neill Dela Llana were not present at the screening of their film last night, but will be for the next one on 10/27 at 4pm. Their guerilla DV film shot in the Philippines is nominated for the LVHIFF Golden Maile Award for Best Narrative Feature. The film proves that video is not all bad.

For official LVHIFF news, check out the fest's update page and eNews for the latest added screenings, rush line announcements, and event recaps.

RELATED POSTS:
>> LVHIFF Kicks Off
>> U.S. Indies at LVHIFF
>> Hawaii Film Panorama at LVHIFF

Honolulu City Council Bill on Film Permit Fees

Next week, the Honolulu City Council's Budget Committee is going to hear a bill that would allow photographers and special event videographers the option of paying an annual permit fee instead of the current $20 daily fee to shoot on city and county property.

Bill 64 (2005) has already passed its first reading on 10/19. If you want to testify orally for or against this bill during the Budget Committee hearing on Wednesday, 10/26 at 9am at Honolulu Hale in the Committee Meeting Room on the 2nd floor, please register before the meeting starts via one of the following methods:

• Fill out the online City Council Speaker Registration Form
• Fax your name, phone #, subject matter, and indicate your desire to speak to 527-5733
• Call 527-5590
  

Each speaker is limited to a one-minute presentation. People who haven't registered to speak, but show up at the meeting may raise their hands to speak after the registered speakers do.

If you cannot show up to testify in person, you may submit written testimony via fax to 527-5733 or you may e-mail your testimony. Please note that if you submit written testimony, it (along with your address, email, phone #) may be posted on the City Council's website, so please only include information you are willing to share publicly.

Disabled persons needing special assistance should call 527-5590 by Tuesday, 10/25.

>> Bill 64 (2005), Related to Filming (.pdf)
>> City Council Budget Committee Agenda, 10/26/05
>> Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, Chapter 10
(scroll down to Sec. 10-3.2, Commercial filming activities, to see current rules/fees for city & county film permits)

LVHIFF Kicks Off

Korean cutie Lee Ki-woo at LVHIFF's Opening Night Party

The Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival officially started last night, but it actually started Wednesday night with "A Night with Zhang Yimou." A screening of Zhang's excellent "Not One Less" (1999), about education and poverty in rural China, was followed by a reception and Q&A with the director. I somehow miraculously managed to spit out in broken Chinese my question about what he thinks of all the American and foreign film productions shooting in China because of its cheap factor. His answer: it's a good thing because it will allow Chinese people to develop their skills and aid in the country's progress.

Last night, the fest officially opened with the world premiere of "Sad Movie," being billed as the Korean version of "Love Actually." I actually think it's the Korean version of the Chinese version of "Love Actually" that screened at last year's LVHIFF, "Sound of Colors." That's 'cause the Chinese film had a blind woman and a guy with a matchmaking service, and the Korean one had a deaf woman and a guy with a break-up service, and both were scored with eclectic swelling music. One of the film's stars, Lee Ki-woo, and director Kwon Jong-kwan were there to present "Sad Movie." The night ended with a shindig at Gordon Biersch, but to my dismay, garlic fries were nowhere to be found.

>> Photos from LVHIFF Opening Night Party

RELATED POSTS:
>> U.S. Indies at LVHIFF
>> Hawaii Film Panorama at LVHIFF

Lawyers Rake It In On Runaway Productions

According to a recent article in "The Recorder" published by the Bar Association of San Francisco, while American gaffers, grips, actors, and make-up artists are losing jobs to their foreign counterparts, one group of American workers is experiencing a boon: lawyers--particularly those who specialize in entertainment and international law. That's because, according to one L.A.-based producer-turned-lawyer, "There is no area of the law that doesn't get expanded and deepened once you step out of the U.S."

With the seemingly irreversible trend of runaway production comes the increasing need for lawyers to navigate the sometimes untrodden legal paths of shooting in a foreign locale. Lawyers for productions need to first decide which country's laws to abide by, and be aware that different countries' laws may be applied to different aspects of the production. And the legal work doesn't simply focus on labor and tax law for physical production; intellectual property law, for example, comes into play when a score is written in L.A. but performed and recorded overseas, for instance.

But many lawyers believe that in navigating multinational productions, what's more important than understanding the legal mumbo jumbo is understanding the local people and culture. For example, though Hawaii is not a foreign locale, it does have many customs that are foreign to those from the continental U.S. One producer-turned-lawyer who had worked on "Celebrity Mole Hawaii" went against the advice of a local resident to hire a Hawaiian priest to bless the set before filming. He later regretted it because the production experienced a series of mishaps. He now advises producers to abide by the culture of their host locations.

>> Movie Outsourcing a Boon for Lawyers [The Recorder, 10/18/05]

RELATED POSTS:
>> Culture Clash
>> Romania: Hollywood (Way) East
>> Our Loss is Their Gain
>> Hey, Whatever's Cheapest

U.S. Indies at LVHIFF

The Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival is famous for its Asian film fare, and the programmers do indeed have a knack for picking the most interesting, unique, and even controversial Asian films that don't often show at many US film festivals. But for those of us living in Hawaii, where you can count the arthouse cinemas on one hand, and where there has been a gaping hole left by the conversion of the main Honolulu arthouse to a $1 second-run theater a few years ago, the LVHIFF also gives us the rare opportunity to see independent films from the Western world (including Asian American films).

In fact, the fest has a new category this year: U.S. Independent Films. The feature-length narrative and documentary films in this showcase, plus the many indie shorts being screened in the festival's shorts programs and before certain features, attest to the continued burgeoning of American independent film.

Hawaii indie filmmakers would do well to check out what their Mainland counterparts have churned out lately... (click film title to go to LVHIFF listing and to buy tickets)

NARRATIVE FEATURE


I Am a Sex Addict

American Fusion
Dir: Frank Lin
A Chinese immigrant divorcee finds love with a Mexican American dentist, to the dismay of her family, who eventually learns how to accept him. Stars Sylvia Chang, Esai Morales, and Asian American icons James Hong ("Chinatown") and Pat Morita ("Karate Kid"). Official Site

Cavite
Dir: Ian Gamazon, Neill Dela Llana
LVHIFF Golden Maile Nominated Feature
Adam, an American citizen visiting his home country of the Philippines, gets an anonymous phone call claiming that his mother and sister have been kidnapped. The caller, who turns out to be the leader of a local Muslim terrorist group, threatens to kill them if he doesn't comply with his demand: bomb a church. The Hollywood Reporter called "Cavite," "guerilla filmmaking at its finest," and indie film guru John Pierson liked it so much, he assigned his UT Austin producing class the task of finding distribution for it. Pic won Best Narrative Feature at the Woodstock Film Fest, and Special Jury Prizes at SXSW and SF Int'l Asian Am Film Fest. Official Site

Conventioneers
Dir: Mora Mi-Ok Stephens
A bipartisan love story set against the backdrop of the 2004 Republican National Convention in NYC. Shot cinema verite style at the actual RNC, the director, producer, and several crew members were arrested during production. Nominated for NY, NY Narrative Feature Award at the Tribeca Film Fest. Film Journal said the film was an "indie surprise...terrific...although shot with a regular DV camera, looks exceptional, thanks to the use of 35mm lenses." Official Site

I Am a Sex Addict
Dir: Caveh Zahedi
An auto-biopic of Zahedi, who became addicted to sex with prostitutes in his 20s, and later sought solace in like company at Sex Addicts Anonymous. Zahedi is an acclaimed filmmaker--a cult figure to some--who was featured in Richard Linklater's "Waking Life" waxing philosophic on French film critic André Bazin's belief that literature’s strength is telling stories, and cinema's strength is reproducing reality. Official Site

The Motel
Dir: Michael Kang
Pre-teen Ernest Chin and his family live and work at a sleazy motel. Misunderstood by his family, Ernest must turn to hotel guest Sam Kim, a self-destructive but charismatic Korean American man who guides him through puberty, teaching him the rites of manhood. Won Best Feature awards at SF Int'l Asian Am Film Fest and San Diego Asian Film Fest. Directed by the dancing Asian Am guy in the Virgin Cola commercial of the early 90s (remember that?!). Variety says pic is example of "shrewd, sympathy-inspiring storytelling" and Film Threat promises "an uneasy good time." Official Site

Mutual Appreciation
Dir: Andrew Bujalski
A singer-songwriter moves to NYC in search of a drummer, and tries to fend off distractions of both romantic and unromantic natures. Long nights, random (mis)adventures, and mixed emotions ensue. This is the 2nd feature by the 2004 "Someone to Watch" Independent Spirit Award Winner who has been compared to Cassavetes, Renoir, Linklater, Godard, Jarmusch, Allen, and Leigh, among other greats. Awards include Best Director, Sidewalk Moving Picture Fest, and Best Screenplay, Newport Int'l Film Fest. Film has been called "unique and addicting...authentic and hilarous" by Film Threat and full of "pitch perfect performances" by Variety. Official Site

Only the Brave
Dir: Lane Nishikawa
The true story of Japanese Americans (and one Korean American) in the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team who fought on the U.S. side in WWII. Stars Mark Dacascos, Jason Scott Lee, Tamlyn Tomita, & Pat Morita.

Red Doors
Dir: Georgia Lee
In this "Eat Drink Man Woman" meets "American Beauty," Ed Wong, a Chinese American living in the suburbs of NY, has just retired and plots to escape his mundane life. But the tumultuous, madcap lives of his three rebellious daughters thwart his plans. Stars Tzi Ma and Jacqueline Kim ("Charlotte Sometimes"). Winner of NY, NY Best Narrative Feature Award at Tribeca, Special Jury Prize for Ensemble Acting at CineVegas, and the Audience Award for First Narrative Feature and Grand Jury Award for Screenwriting at Outfest. The NY Times called "Red Doors" a "heartwarming comedy...unique and yet universal story" and the Wall Street Journal called it "hilariously funny and unbelievably revealing." Official Site

Rounding First
Dir: Jim Fleigner
In the tradition of "Stand By Me," three 12-yr old pals escape Little League camp in the summer of 1980 to trail the parents of one of the kids. Official Site

Tre
Dir: Eric Byler
Hawaii-raised director Byler ("Charlotte Sometimes") is back with another meditation on love square dances and infidelity--this time, among trust fund babies. Byler's previous film, "Charlotte Sometimes" earned a Cassavetes Award nom at the 2003 Independent Spirit Awards.

NARRATIVE SHORT


Spam-Ku: I Won a Haiku Contest About Spam

6 Ft. 7 In.
[Lo-Fi Shorts]
Dir: Rafael Del Toro
A comedy about Indian American parents who must reveal to their son that he has an expiration date. Official Site

The Act
[Precedes "The Squid & the Whale"]
Dir: Susan Krake, Pi Ware
Rosy Marconi is a stand-up comedian with a secret. Film Threat says the film "goes beyond the realm of short films. It stands tall with the finest indie dramas..." Official Site

Among Thieves
[Precedes "Keane"]
Dir: Oscar Daniels
Running from the cops in South Central L.A., a young thief ducks into a window and happens upon an elderly white woman dying of cancer and her abusive health aide worker. He takes over her care while waiting for the coast to clear, but not before the dying woman asks him to kill her. Film Threat says, "In a Sundance overflowing with great shorts, 'Among Thieves' stands out as one of the best."

Chinese Beauty
[Precedes "Kamikaze Girls"]
Dir: Debbie Lum
In her jogging outfit (makeup, long eyelashes and trendy wristbands), Bonnie chases down love, literally.

Clean
[Cost of Living Shorts]
Dir: Stephen Dypiangco
A park sweeper finds a wallet full of money and struggles with the decision to keep it or not.

Cowboy Johnny Yamada
[Lo-Fi Shorts]
Dir: Yohei Kawamata
The only things the title character wants to do are pass cowboy class, graduate from the University of Utah, and get the girl.

Dungeon Majesty
[Lo-Fi Shorts]
Dir: Liza Cardinale
A fun, rollicking film based on a real life cable TV show in California, in which 4 pretty gals and 1 lucky guy play Dungeons and Dragons. Official Site

Future Imperfect
[Twilight Zone Shorts]
Dir: Marshall Lewy
Alice's fiance Bradley suddenly disappears while they are on a biking trip. Bradley is never found, and five years later, Alice is married with a kid in the suburbs when Bradley suddenly crashes through her kitchen on the same bike he was riding when he disappeared.

Good Cop, Bad Cop
[Twilight Zone Shorts]
Dir: Mark Cartier
Accused of a terrible crime, a man's biggest enemy becomes himself when relentlessly pushed by two detectives. Official Site

Inay (Mother)
[Cost of Living Shorts]
Dir: Debbie Formoso
A young Filipina immigrant takes a job with a Filipino-American family as a caretaker for their 70-year-old grandmother who suffers from a dementia. All the while she struggles with her new home and misses her old one.

Light Stains
[Twilight Zone Shorts]
Dir: Sandra Cheng
3D glasses will be provided for watching this experimental, visually edgy short about a Victorian-era woman who becomes an astronomer.

Little Bit Different
[Lo-Fi Shorts]
Dir: Lynn Okimura
This spoof is exactly like Sesame Street's "One of These Things is Not Like The Other" game...only it's just a little bit different. Official Site

Perils in Nude Modeling
[Lo-Fi Shorts]
Dir: Scott Rice
A nude model in an art studio becomes the focal point of a lonely man's desires in this Student Academy Award-nominated short. Official Site

Raveling
[Twilight Zone Shorts]
Dir: Todd Albright
Told completely in reverse, this film begins with an elderly man sitting in a destroyed apartment and goes backward from there. Official Site

R-I-S-O-R-G-I-M-E-N-T-O
[Cost of Living Shorts]
Dir: Jung-Jin Ahn
The course of a rocky relationship between a father and daughter comes down to one word in a spelling bee.

Slap
[Lo-Fi Shorts]
Dir: Roman Cortez
What happens when girls start gossiping? Pure chaos. See what happens when people start spreading rumors and lies in this wacky, fast-paced film. Official Site

Sleepwalking
[Cost of Living Shorts]
Dir: Angela How
A woman struggles over a love that is not hers to keep.

Spam-Ku: I Won a Haiku Contest About Spam
[Lo-Fi Shorts]
Dir: Steven Tsuchida
A young man wins a haiku contest about Spam. He believes his luck will change for the better as he awaits his prize, but his prize brings more intigue than anticipated. Directed by Hawaii born-and-raised Tsuchida, who was named one of the 25 Faces of Indie Film in 2003 by Filmmaker Magazine.

Tiles and Smears
[Lo-Fi Shorts]
Dir: Liezel Olegario
This film teaches us to never betray a toaster's love.

Virtual Date 3.0
[Lo-Fi Shorts]
Dir: Roman Cortez
With the help of the latest virtual reality technology, 3 geeks get to meet the woman of their cyber dreams. Official Site

Year of the Scapegoat
[Lo-Fi Shorts]
Dir: Ross Novie
A global conspiracy is uncovered that has the world being taken over by the Chinese!

The Zit
[Lo-Fi Shorts]
Dir: Mike Blum
A zit becomes a growing problem in this surprising animated short by a Disney animation veteran. Official Site

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE


Romantico

After Innocence
Dir: Jessica Sanders
Documents the recent flood of convictions reversed by new DNA evidence, and what happens to the exonerated after they are freed. Awards include: Special Jury Prize at Sundance and prizes at Seattle, Newport Beach, Boston Independent, Full Frame Documentary, and Nantucket Film Fests. Official Site

The Fall of Fujimori
Dir: Ellen Perry
Golden Maile Nominated Documentary
As president of Peru, Alberto Fujimori used radical and oppressive means to clean his country up until his government erupted in scandal in 2002, making him an international fugitive. The SF Chronicle called the film "a fascinating study." Official Site

The Grace Lee Project
Dir: Grace Lee
What's in a name? Grace Lee (the director) tries to figure that out in a documentary about various Asian American women named "Grace Lee," including a local Hawaii KGMB news reporter and an 88 year-old Detroit community organizer. Film nabbed "Emerging Director" Award at the Asian Am Int'l Film Festl in NY and Film Threat called it "an interesting and humorous ride." Official Site

One
Dir: Ward Powers
A Michigan lawyer drops everything, picks up a DV camera, and travels the globe posing 20 questions about the meaning of life to people including Deepak Chopra and the Dalai Lamai. The Detroit Free Press says "One" allows us to "glimpse at least a spark of enlightenment in less than two hours." Official Site

Race is the Place
Dir: Ray Telles, Rick Tejada-Flores
An audacious visual and verbal riff on race in America from a wide swath of artists, poets, rappers, performance artists, cultural critics, and comedians, including Hawaii's own Haunani-Kay Trask and Lois-Ann Yamanaka. Official Site

Romantico
Dir: Mark Becker
Two Mexican mariachi singers roam the bars and streets of San Francisco playing for tips that make up the sustenance for their families. Film shows the high cost of survival in the face of systemic poverty, the hardship of being an artist when there is no rainbow or pot of gold, and the importance of family and home. The L.A. Times said the film has an "unmistakably soulful quality."
Official Site

What's Wrong with Frank Chin?
Dir: Curtis Choy
Golden Maile Nominated Documentary
A portrait of the iconic curmudgeon of the Chinese American literati, best known for his writings on the emasculation of Asian males by mainstream American stereotypes (think Charlie Chan and Fu Manchu). Chin also gained notoriety for bitterly criticizing fellow Asian Am writers like David Henry Hwang, Maxine Hong Kingston, and Amy Tan, who presented Western audiences with more "digestible" views of Chinese and Chinese American culture. Variety said film is "entertaining portrait that strongly suggests Chin merits greater appreciation in literary, minority history and academic circles."

DOCUMENTARY SHORT


Rising Up: The Alams

Drummer Wanted
[Lo-Fi Shorts]
Dir: Mark Woollen, Myles Bender
Tom, the guitarist for the band Ike, sums up the film like this: "You don't know how much of a pain in the ass it is to audition drummers, man; do you know how many fuck'n freaks there are?" Official Site

Rising Up: The Alams
[Precedes "Diary of a Provincial Girl"]
Dir: Konrad Aderer
Mohammed Alam, husband and father to two U.S.-born girls, was one of 80,000 predominantly Muslim immigrants who endured the discriminatory process of Special Registration, which involves jail time, searches, and fingerprinting. Now faced with deportation, the Alams are fighting back as members of South Asian activist organization DRUM (Desis Rising Up and Moving). Official Site

Sky Burial
[Precedes "One"]
Dir: Ellen Bruno
Documents Tibetan sky burial where the dead are offerred to the vultures.
Official Site

RELATED PREVIOUS POSTS:
>> The Meaning of "Independent"
>> Filmmaker Magazine: "25 New Faces of Indie Film"
>> Short Run
>> Asian American Film Festivals

Hawaii Film Panorama at LVHIFF

Get a dose (or 40) of Hawaii from the following selection of films made by Hawaii folks and/or made in Hawaii that will be screening at the upcoming Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival. Click film title to go to LVHIFF listing and to buy tickets.

NARRATIVE FEATURE


The Orb

The Orb [Hawaii Panorama 2]
Dir: Scott Lee Mason
No-budget DIY filmmaking at its bloodiest and boobiest. LVHIFF calls this B-horror zombie flick the "poster 'bastard' child of an Apple Computer with bundled software." Official Site

Pele O Ka Foodmart [HP6]
Dir: Michael Wurth
A shrink becomes convinced that he will find his own salvation in the delusions of one of his patients, an abused Hawaiian woman who believes she is Pele. Film explores how ancient Hawaiian legend can guide us through the tribulations of modern Hawaii. Official Site

NARRATIVE SHORT


The Sand Island Drive-In Anthem

Bracelet [HP6]
Dir: Brianne Castillo-Huang
A woman must decide if she will give up her successful career to care for her Alzheimer's-afflicted mother.

Fishbowl [HP4]
Dir: Kayo Hatta
Based on Lois-Ann Yamanaka's bildungsroman Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers, this is the last film by Hatta, the late director of "Picture Bride." Official Site

Grandma's Recipe [HP4]
Dir: Imelda Betiong
A sweet grandmother obsessed with winning the Honolulu Dessert contest faces a moral dilemma when she discovers her opponent's secret ingredient.

My So-Called Life: ACM Shorts [HP1]
Dir: UH Academy for Creative Media Students
Seong Whang's "Elevation," Jason Ordenstein's "Waiting to Surface," Tyrone Sanga's "Plastic Leis," Ryan Ishii's "Hopeless in Honolulu," Kevin Inouye's "Wake," Hyun Shin's "Piko," Jay Hubert's "Tunnels," and Renato Fontaine's "Promise of Paradise" make up this collection of short films by students at the University of Hawaii's Academy for Creative Media.

The Sand Island Drive-In Anthem [HP4]
Dir: Ryan Kawamoto
The workaday world of 4 guys behind the counter of a Honolulu drive-inn gets interrupted one day by life-changing tensions in this film by the director of "Paper Cranes."

Three Little Words [HP4]
Dir: Dan Hamamura
A meditation on love, and how 3 simple words can change everything.

True Love and Mimosa Tea [HP4]
Dir: Cam Eason
A kahuna plays cupid by brewing a mystical love potion. Stars Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa and Tamlyn Tomita. Official Site

Valtor the Great vs. The Universe [HP2]
Dir: Gerard Elmore
The creator of "Amasian: The Amazing Asian" is back with more superhero slapstick. Official Site

DOCUMENTARY


Keepers of the Flame

Aloha Live: On the Road With Willie K. & Amy Gilliom
[Hawaii Night at Hawaii Theater]
Dir: Heather Giugni
A documentary that follows the singing duo on their last mainland tour in 2003. Amy Gilliom will perform live after the screening

Hawaii Slam: Poetry in Paradise [HP5]
Dir: Kathryn Xian
Young Hawaii speaks up (and loudly) in this documentary that tracks the HawaiiSlam Team at the 2004 Slam Nationals in St. Louis. Directed by a NYU/Bard-educated local woman who just won the Making A Difference for Women award given by Soroptimist International of Waikiki for her multimedia festival and conference, GiRL FeST Hawaii, which seeks to prevent violence against women and girls.

Heartstrings: The Story of the Kamaka [HP3]
Dir: Stuart Yamane
This film examines how Hawaiian values have shaped the family-run Kamaka and Sons Ukulele Company, which has been serving Hawaii for nearly a century. Official Site

Keepers of the Flame [Hawaii Night at Hawaii Theater]
Dir: Eddie Kamae
A film that pays tribute to Hawaiian historian and author Mary Kawena Pukui, dancer and chanter Iolani Luahine, and kumu hula and teacher Edith Kanakaole. A live performance by the Sons of Hawaii follows the screening. Directed by legendary Hawaiian singer, composer, teacher and filmmaker Eddie Kamae who, along with wife Myrna, received the Hawaii Film Office/HIFF's "Film in Hawaii" award in 2002 . Official Site

Remember the Boys [HP3]
Dir: Stephanie Castillo
The story of Domingo Los Banos and the 50 other Filipino Americans from Hawaii who fought for the U.S. in WWII. From the regional Emmy Award-winning documentarian Castillo, whose past film subjects include cockfighting in Hawaii and Hansen's Disease on Molokai.

Wahine O Ke Kai [HP5]
Dir: Vince Keala Lucero
To raise awareness of the ocean and our kuleana (responsibility) to protect it, Donna Kahi Kahakui paddled solo from O'ahu to Kaua'i to Lehua to Ni'ihau in just a few days.

STUDENT FILMS (High School)


The Tao of Zhong Guo

Student Showcase 1: Wainae Seariders' "The Tao of Zhong Guo" ("The Way of China") documents a recent trip to China involving nearly 200 delegates from Hawaii. Curated by Kaliko Palmieri.

Student Showcase 2: Documentaries about Hawaii including Taylor Chang's "Bon Dance," Nicole Chong's "Caution Tape," Julius Pasion's "Dance Hybridz," Kalaheo Communications Academy's "Hawaii Racetrack," Chahati Leslie's "K.S.B.S. Champions," and Peio Pualoa's "Sima Urale."

Student Showcase 3: Visually MTV-ish shorts including Kalaheo Communications Academy's "Darkness Within," "In Between," "Keep the Keys," "The Mob," and "P3R3CT;" Chris Fong's "Hanging Over;" Rusty Alikaawana's "Inertia;" and Iolani School's "The Wages of Virtue."

Student Showcase 4: A mix of narrative shorts and PSAs including Shan Litjestrand and Eliot Cost's "Act Out!" and "The Wood;" Peio Pualoa's "Couch Potato;" Kalaheo Communications Academy's "Deul Desu Ka;" Maryknoll School's "Eat Well, Play Well," "Lesson of Exclusion," and "What Happens When You Eat Junk Food;" Todd Fink and Tristan Davis's "Final Draft;" and Iolani School's "Finding Leonardo."


Other LVHIFF Round-ups:
>> Honolulu Star-Bulletin [10/17/05]
>> Honolulu Advertiser's Derek Paiva [10/14/05]
>> UPDATE: Hawaii Film Festival [Hollywood Reporter, 10/18/05]

RELATED PREVIOUS POSTS:
>> HAWAII INDIE FILM SURVEY
>> Local Filmmakers Left in the Dust
>> IFP Hawaii?
>> Want Money for Your Film?

Marie Lord, Widow of Jack, Dies

Soulmates: Marie & Jack Lord

Marie Lord, widow of "Hawaii Five-O"'s Jack Lord, died at her Kahala home yesterday. She was in her 90s.

Marie met Jack when they were both in New York, she pursuing a career as a fashion designer, and he pursing a fine arts degree at NYU. They married and Marie left her career to support Jack's pursuit of acting. He called her "the bride of my youth who abides me still." Their marriage lasted a long time, till his death in 1998 at age 77.

Like her husband, Marie requested that no funeral be held, and that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Jack and Marie Lord fund that benefits local charities at the Hawaii Community Foundation, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 800, Honolulu 96813.

In related news, did you know that Jack Lord got one of the highest distinctions in showbiz? That is, his name was adopted into the set lingo used by production crew that is so incomprehensible to lay people. In an article about such lingo, the AP recently reported that "When a cameraman wants a 50mm lens, he calls for a 'Jack Lord,' the actor who played the detective hero of TV's 'Hawaii Five-O.' Get the connection - Five-O, 50mm?"

>> She was the rock behind ‘Five-O’ star [Hnl Star-Bulletin, 10/14/05]
>> Marie Lord, widow of 'Hawaii Five-0' star [AP/Hnl Advertiser, 10/14/05]
>> Gaffers, grips and best boys often 'kill blondes' on movie sets [AP/San Jose Mercury News, 10/13/05]

RELATED PREVIOUS POSTS:
>> Ray Bumatai (1952-2005)
>> Kayo Hatta (1958-2005)