Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Panel Presentations at the University of Hawai‘i

Native Language in Film and Theater

    10:00am-Noon         Halau O Haumea,

                                        Kamakakuokalani

                                        Center for Hawaiian Studies

                                        Hosted by Kaliko and Haili Baker (Hawaiian)

                                        Presenters: Merata Mita and Bird Runningwater

 

                                        Encoded in our language are deep cultural concepts and shared

                                        values. This panel explores using native language to express these

                                        vital concepts and values. Panel participants share their personal

                                        experiences working in their mother tongues in theater and film.

Finding Native Film on the World Wide Web

    1:00pm to 2:30pm     Krauss Hall 12,UH Manoa campus

                                

                                        Host: Tuti Baker

                                        Panelists: Na Maka O Ka Aina and Bird Runningwater

 

                                        Native filmmakers worldwide are distributing their films through the

                                        internet including websites.  Panelists discuss the value of

                                        distributing films on the Internet.

Evening Showcase at the Hawai‘i Convention Center

6:00pm         Traditional Welcome and opening ceremony

6:30pm         Live theatre and film from a native perspective

                        a live presentation by Ka Halau Hanakeaka of an excerpt from

                        “Kamapua‘a” the theatrical telling of the bawdy epic Hawaiian tale.

                        

                        “Nana” Presented by Warwick Thornton (Aboriginal)

                                Nana's granddaughter thinks Nana's pretty special. She loves her

                                Nana because she helps the old people, she's got a good

                                painter and other people love her too. Nana's got everyone

                                under control.

              “Hush” Presented by Dena Curtis (Aboriginal)

                                Ethel and her friend Mary resort to an unlikely occupation at

                                night to top up their pensions. Ethel's daughter is horrified when

                                she discovers they are not really 'playing cards'.

                           “TEWETEWE” Presented in person by Beau Basset (Hawaiian)

                                It's a typical backyard party in the country.  The tent is packed

                                with family and friends, plates are piled high with food, and the

                                band on stage sings a festive tune.  It's the best when someone is

                                dancing, but the best gets even better when Tutu is inspired.  In

                                this culture we learn from our elders.   This is a short two minute

                                piece inspired by the song "tewetewe", written by Kalei Aona

                                and Vicky Ii Rodrigues.

                          “Ho‘okipa” Produced by Ed and Kaniala Joy (Hawaiian)

                                A light-hearted romance from Maui.

               “Miss Navajo” Presented by Billy Luther (Native American)

                     Told through the journey of Miss Navajo Nation contestant,

                     Crystal Frazier, this feature documentary explores the

                     community’s struggle to preserve and maintain the Navajo

                     language. No ordinary beauty pageant, the Miss Navajo

                     pageant is all about determining who can rise to the challenge

                     of becoming a community leader, by demonstrating fluency in

                     the Navajo language and in-depth knowledge of their unique

                     culture and history. Miss Navajo is a co-production of Billy Luther

                     and the Independent Television Service (ITVS), with funding

                     provided by the Corporation for PublicBroadcasting (CPB), in

                     association with World of Wonder Production.

Thursday, August 23

Evening Showcase at the Hawai‘i Convention Center

6:00pm         Dramatic works from across the Pacific

             

                Two short films presented by Te Arepa Kahi (Maori)

                “The Speaker” A political tagger's midnight marauding gets his

                     younger brother caught by the police. But saying "I'm sorry" with

                     meaning are words best said with action.

                “Taua” In war, leaders fall and leaders rise. Maori Proverb - mate atu

                     he tete kura, ara mai ano he tetekura

                 “Four Sheets to the Wind” Directed by Sterlin Harjo

                    Film introduced by Tamara Podemski, who won the Special Jury

                    Prize for Acting at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, for her role as

                    Miri Smallhill in “Four Sheets to the Wind.”

                       Cufe Smallhill's father never has much to say, but one day, he is

                       quieter than usual. When Cufe finds his father dead beside a

                       bottle of pills, he does as he promised and drags the body out

                       to the family pond, unceremoniously sinking it to the bottom. But

                       everyone in the community is expecting a big funeral, so Cufe,

                       his cousin, and his mom decide to fake one. In the midst of

                       mourning, Cufe realizes he is compelled to explore the world

                       outside the reservation and find a more fulfilling life. His sister,

                       Miri, comes from Tulsa for the funeral and invites him to visit her

               in the big city. She opens the door for Cufe into a new world.

Showcase