Hula is life for the main characters of "The Haumana," the directorial debut for Hawaii’s own Keo Woolford and closing-night film for the Oahu portion of the 33rd Hawaii International Film Festival.
Anyone who belongs to a halau or knows a hula dancer, or has made the trip to the Big Island for the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, will identify with the sentiment. Hawaiian culture continues to strengthen and flourish both at home and abroad, and films like this help illustrate how important it is for native voices to tell the stories of Hawaii from their own unique perspective.
Jonny Kealoha (Tui Asau) is a lounge performer in Waikiki who seems to enjoy booze and female tourists more than serving as a steward of his culture, all while wearing a cheesy, all-white outfit and gaudy red carnation lei. That all changes, however, when Jonny hears that Auntie Margaret (Marlene Sai), his revered kumu hula, has fallen gravely ill.
‘THE HAUMANA’
 
Screens 5 p.m. today at Hawaii Theatre, $20; and 7:30 p.m. today at Koko Marina 8 |
From her deathbed, Auntie Margaret asks Jonny to take on a teaching role with a group of high school boys set to participate in the upcoming Royal Hula Festival. His decision to accept the position comes as much of a shock to his new haumana, or students, as it does to Jonny, who finds himself practicing with an ipu in his Waikiki dressing room between sets.
The rest of "The Haumana" is an enjoyable re-creation of the classic underdog story line that finds the protagonists beaten down and dealt setback after setback. How will they react? Will the challenges prove to be too much to overcome?
Part of the fun is watching what Woolford does, character-wise, with each of Jonny’s haumana. There’s the jock who throws blows when someone makes fun of his hula brothers. There’s the "down-low dancer," still working up the courage to tell his parents he loves hula. Another member of the halau struggles nearly the entire film trying to reconcile his Christian faith with hula’s ancient Hawaiian influences.
Auntie Napua (Mary Pa‘alani) will have viewers nodding in recognition at the disapproving glares she gives both Jonny and his students whenever they do something wrong. And Kelly Hu’s tita-rific performance as Jonny’s favorite bartender promises to elicit chuckles throughout the 95-minute film.
While some of the dialogue feels a little too preachy at times — you can really tell when Woolford is trying to drive home some of his more important messages — "The Haumana" is still a fun way to stimulate conversation among local residents and familiarize outsiders with Hawaiian culture.
Another bonus is the soundtrack. Woolford, who comes from a hula background, did a fantastic job with George "Geebz" Del Barrio to produce a score that showcases contributions by established Hawaiian recording artists Robert Cazimero and Lehua Kalima, among others. The music, along with all the beautiful scenic footage shot around Oahu, makes it much easier to forgive any shortcomings in the story and just enjoy the cinematic ride "The Haumana" provides.
Note: Neighbor island screenings are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hilo Palace Theater; 7 p.m. Thursday at Waimea Theater, Kauai; and 6:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Regis Princeville Resort.
———
For photos, reviews and more, visit honolulupulse.com.
|
HIFF PICKS
Here are some choice picks from among today’s HIFF screenings. For a full schedule and ticket information, visit www.hiff.org.
“Dancing Karate Kid”: Ken Sawamura (Joey Beni) is a handsome, young hip-hop dancer traipsing his way through Okinawa. His smooth dance moves capture the attention of Iwao Shinjo (Yui Koike), a Ryukyu dance master who believes that “a good dancer is also a good fighter.” Ken begins learning Iwao’s folksy dance steps, not realizing his new routines are taking on the form of legendary Ryukyu karate. In the meantime, Iwao’s perky granddaughter sees Ken as potential husband material. Ken quickly finds himself at odds with local yakuza, a rival karate club master and a centuries-old Okinawan tradition, “the battle for the bride.” Directed by Tsukasa Kishimoto. In Japanese with English subtitles. World premiere, 4 p.m. at Dole Cannery Stadium 18
“Animation Maestro Gisaburo”: A documentary by Masato Ishioka on Gisaburo Sugii, 71, considered one of the founding fathers of Japanese animation, whose hand-drawn works include Astro Boy and Dororo. Sugii’s career parallels the development of the Japanese animation industry from its early years in the shadow of Disney to its emergence as an international cultural phenomenon. In Japanese with English subtitles. U.S. premiere, 4 p.m. at Dole Cannery Stadium 18
“Sana Dati (If Only)”: GMA Network’s Sunday All Stars host Lovi Poe stars as Andrea, who is preparing for her wedding to an ambitious politician (TJ Trinidad). As she bonds with wedding videographer Dennis (Paulo Avelino), Andrea begins to reminisce on her secret past, raising doubts about her impending nuptials. Directed by Jerrold Tarog. In Tagalog with English subtitles. U.S. premiere, 4:30 p.m. at Dole Cannery Stadium 18
“Oshin”: Based on the NHK television drama that was wildly popular in Hawaii and elsewhere when it aired 30 years ago, this new film by Shin Togashi tells the Meiji-era story of 10-year-old peasant girl Oshin Tanimura (Kokone Hamada), who is forced to leave her poor family to become a live-in maid and baby sitter for a wealthy clan. That hardship is only the beginning of the trials she faces on the road to becoming a strong and selfless woman in this emotional tale of love and familial duty. In Japanese with English subtitles. North American premiere, 11:45 a.m. at Dole Cannery Stadium 18
Free movies at Doris Duke Theatre: “The Castaway Cowboy” (1974), with James Garner and Vera Miles, 2 p.m.; King Vidor’s “Bird of Paradise” (1932), with Dolores del Rio and Joel McCrea, 4:30 p.m.; “50 First Dates” (2004), with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, 6:30 p.m.
|
