Prior to this special event, I attended the press conference for the 38th annual Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) on October 12, 2018, presented by Halekulani and I found it insightful. When I was there, I was very nervous since I had absolutely no clue on what to expect and do while I was there. … [Read…]
Wow, being at HIFF was a wonderful experience! I was very fortunate to not only have a press pass (shout out to Britos for providing them), but also the location of this momentous event as I thought it was extremely convenient. Although some of the days and times conflicted with another class that I have … [Read…]
Continuation of Modest Heroes from Ponoc Film is the third short film “Invisible”, directed by Akihiko Yamashita. The film is about a man who is invisible to everyone who strives to restore the brilliant effervescence of life. Personally, it is a film that is catered to adults since it is more relatable to those who … [Read…]
The film “Life Ain’t Gonna Lose”, directed by Yoshiyuki Momose, is a film about a boy who is highly allergic to eggs who is getting treatment for his allergies, but he still has to face the struggles of his everyday life trying to avoid products that has eggs in it. Watching this film, I felt … [Read…]
The film Kanini and Kanino directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi was beautifully executed within its animated production as well its fairytale aesthetic. Such would include: the animation clarity of the water, the uniqueness and detailing of each sea creature, and the use of color contrasts within each scene. I am not surprised with Hiromasa Yonebayashi’s work … [Read…]
Last week Thursday, I was privileged to watch Wong Kar Wai’s Chungking Express. Filmed in 1994, it is a Hong Kong romance drama film that focuses on two different stories in sequence, which handle relationship complications that are almost identical to each other. If I had one word to summarize the film, AMAZING. While watching, … [Read…]
I got my tickets to the closing event, the world premier of Moananuiākea: One Ocean. One People. One Canoe., at the Hawaii Theater Center early. It’s a good thing I did because it ended up being a sold out show. The room was packed with different VIP’s and many with ties to Hokulea and the … [Read…]
DIRECTOR: RYUICHI HIROKI From veteran filmmaker Ryuichi Hiroki comes a touching drama about youthful dreams and growing up. ‘I’ (Ai Hashimoto) couldn’t wait to leave her small own after high school and spent 10 years working in Tokyo. But the big city wasn’t all its cracked up to be, and she’s returned home to work … [Read…]
DIRECTOR: BOBBY CHOY, STEVE LEE Budding musician Bobby Choy, a Korean-American in NYC, feels like a stranger in his own country. After his father’s death, he starts writing sad songs, though he doesn’t perform very often. Mostly he just practices in his bathtub. Bobby’s friend Billy, offers him a job as a roadie for his … [Read…]
DIRECTOR: NAOKI SEGI “Shiori is a star student with an incredible palate for wine who dreams of studying winemaking in France. However, to her dismay she is assigned to a rural sake brewery for her internship. To make matters worse, upon arrival she discovers that the brewery owners don’t exactly want her around. But when … [Read…]
DIRECTOR: CHAPMAN TO “Mari Hirakawa is the daughter of a Karate coach. Since her childhood, she has esented Karate–her only wish to one day sell the dojo. But following his death, she discovers that half of the dojo has been left to one of his pupils, Chan Keung (Chapman To). The two clash, but Chan … [Read…]