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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
 Posted - 05/15/2010 : 04:10:34 AM
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Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GXLnIHsB1g
The film is playing nowhere around here -- maybe a 6 or so hour drive to Chicago across most of Ohio, all of flat Indiana, then a bit of Illinois.
I would be very interested in comments from anyone who is fortunate enough to see the movie. I am so excited becayse that CUTE Ocean Kaowili is playing the part of Kalakaua and also I believe Moon Kauakahi, Greg Sardinha and Gary Aiko are listed as "musicians". Please share your experiences with us here. This is a wonderful opportunity to share honest thoughts and feelings respectfully.
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Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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LovinLK
Lokahi
USA
112 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2010 : 9:36:02 PM
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| I haven't seen this one in the Chicago area. |
Lovin' Lee is my favorite pasttime!!
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2010 : 1:44:08 PM
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If you want to go see it because of your interest in Hawaiian culture and history ... save your money. Wait for the DVD and rent it. The historical aspects are, to put it diplomatically, "simplified" for the sake of the story. (Who knew Sanford Dole was so much a supporter of Kanaka rights?)
Beautiful scenery (many beach scenes shot out at Bellows), lovely footage from inside `Iolani Palace (the docents must have been cringing during shooting, though), and Ocean Ka`owili was perfect as Kalākaua.
You could tell who in the cast were native speakers of Hawaiian and who had been coached, and the film had a certain British "linger on the scenery during the love story sequences" technique to it.
Among the musicians, Blaine Kia has a brief but outstanding part on the beach, singing to Princess Ka`iulani upon her return to Hawai`i. Chinky Mahoe also appears in a smattering of hula sequences.
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Edited by - Retro on 05/16/2010 1:45:08 PM |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2010 : 2:45:59 PM
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I am so very happy to hear you tell us that the CUTE Ocean Kaowili was perfect as Kalakaua.
The suggestion to wait for DVD is as I suspected. Of course, that is the only way I will be able to see it anyway, but I still want to see it. Probably we would watch and and say, "this is wrong" and "that is wrong" and "Ocean Kaowili sure is cute."
Well, what did Blaine sing to her? A historically accurate mele or one made up for the movie?
Thanks for telling us about it, Retro. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2010 : 4:00:00 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by wcerto
Well, what did Blaine sing to her? A historically accurate mele or one made up for the movie?
I believe they were singing "He Lei no Ka`iulani," which would be accurate for the time-period.
Puakea Nogelmeier was also one of the consultants on the film, fwiw. |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2010 : 04:06:59 AM
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From a different perspective:
"...Ka'iulani........The True Story......"
Date: Saturday, June 19, 2010
Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: Kapi'olani Park Bandstand
Description
Hear, feel and know the true story of Princess Victoria Kawekiu Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kaiulani Cleghorn. See the movie first if you wish, and then join me on this journey back into time as 'Ainahau comes alive.... |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2010 : 05:36:36 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by wcerto
From a different perspective:
...and then join me on this journey...
So, who's the "me" in this opportunity? |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2010 : 06:05:07 AM
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| I dunno. I going try for find out. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2010 : 06:51:28 AM
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| Ah, that's Lopaka Kapanui, who took over Glen Grant's old business. If the film ends up steering a few people into making the effort to learn more real Hawaiian history, that's a good thing. |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
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markwitz
`Olu`olu
USA
841 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2010 : 04:46:24 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by wcerto
Here is an interview with Ocean Kaowili, a very special man. He made Auntie cry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7DgYOaZtNI
Always nice to see Ocean. He really is a very special man, as you say Wanda. |
"The music of the Hawaiians, the most fascinating in the world, is still in my ears and
haunts me sleeping and waking."
Mark Twain |
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noeau
Ha`aha`a
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2010 : 10:49:45 AM
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Ocean hit it on the head. As a docent I was trained to not touch anything but one cannot help but feel the mana emanating from the the walls of the palace. Everytime I did my presentation in the imprisonment room I would shake and shiver and run a whole gamut of emotion. I studied the quilt and was totally enthralled by the names of those who contributed to the making of that quilt. I could hear the cries of anguish and the lament of the people who were saddened by the way the Queen was treated by the PG's.
I thought of the disrespect and the arrogance of those people who betrayed the Hawaiian gov't and I was angered and saddened at the same time.
The Royals were struggling to keep a nation afloat and the forces against them were overwhelming I can only hope that those of you who profess a love for the music and the culture of my people take the time to study our history and learn of the injustices that were visited upon us.
And you know, when I thought no one was looking when I pulled my shift as a guardian, I too touched the things that I thought would impart to me something of what used to be. I wanted to feel what the King felt and what the queen was doing when she decided to introduce a constitution that was meant to restore sovereignty to the Hawaiian people.
I agree with Ocean that this movie may encourage others to find out a little more about the place called Hawaii and when they do they will be able to overlook any inaccuracies that the movie created in an attempt to make a simple story more attractive.
E hō mai ka ʻike mai e, i nā mea hūnā noʻeau o nā mele e. |
No'eau, eia au he mea pa'ani wale nō. |
Edited by - noeau on 05/27/2010 9:05:44 PM |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2010 : 11:17:41 AM
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The resounding comments I am hearing from interviews of people who have seen the film, are that they are ashamed they know little of Hawaiian history and that now they vow to learn all they can about it.
We must remember that this is a film -- not a documentary. It is based on history, sort of like Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid was based on history, but still was a movie, not an historical documentary.
But in the same vein, Michener's book Hawai`i, is what got me so interested in Hawai`i, almost 10 years ago. I am so glad I happened to meet Wayne Chang, who spoke so eloquently of the history of Hawai`i and got me even more interested. It is a fascinating (and sad) history.
Mahalo Braddah Al. Mahalo Braddah Ocean, and all those who continually strive to malama Hawai`i in all ways. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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alika207
Ha`aha`a
USA
1260 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2010 : 06:43:06 AM
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| I think I'll have to wait until this comes out on DVD. I no can see 'em ova hea. Aue... |
He kehau ho'oma'ema'e ke aloha.
'Alika / Polinahe |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2010 : 2:18:16 PM
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Well, our DVD came today from amazon.com.
It was not a bad movie at all. It was by no means what I expected. I guess what I was hoping for was more of a documentary type thing, but this was not that at all. It was a love story. All that kissin' and smoochin' and flirtin' stuff with that boy over in England, well, that took up most of the time. I wish they would have shared more of the letters that Lili`uokalani wrote to Ka`iulani while she was in England. I wish there was more of Kalakaua, too. They had him die off was too early in the movie. You guys know WHY I wanted to see more of Kalakaua. Ocean really did play his part well.
And the mele "He Lei No Ka`iulani" -- chicken skin.
And I was happy to see that they showed Thurston as a bit of the scoundrel and bounder that he really was.
I do hope it piqued the interest of people to learn more about the overthrow and more about Hawaiian history and culture in general. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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The film: Princess Kaiulani
