Features | HIFF | Hawai'i International Film Festival

World Premiere of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Documentary WATERMAN

Events, Features, HIFF News / By Aaron Hansen

41ST HAWAI’I INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (HIFF) PRESENTED BY HALEKULANI OPENING NIGHT FILM ANNOUNCEMENT | The Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF) presented by Halekulani announced today their Opening Night presentation of WATERMAN directed by Isaac Halasima. The film explores the role of sports in breaking societal barriers through Duke Paoa Kahanamoku’s journey and legacy as a […]

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BLUE BAYOU: Form vs. Content

Features, I ♥ HIFF, Reviews / By Aaron Hansen

This review contains spoilers to Justin Chon’s BLUE BAYOU – A work of art (film in this instance) can be broken up into two intersecting concepts: form and content. While content is the subject of the artwork, form deals with the different ways the artist utilizes their respective tools (camera work, costumes and set

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SHANG CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS: Why Asian American Representation is Important

Features / By Kanani Sato

With less than 20 days until the release, SHANG CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS was already gained attention in news outlets, as Disney’s CEO, Bob Chapek was criticized by the movie’s lead actor, Simu Liu, for calling the movie an “experiment.” Liu was outraged when Disney decided to block people from watching

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Director/writer/actor Justin Chon on the set of BLUE BAYOU, a Focus Features release. Credit : Ante Cheng / Matthew Chuang / Focus Features

BLUE BAYOU: HIFF Talk Story with Justin Chon

Events, Features, HIFF Talk Story, I ♥ HIFF / By HIFF Programming

HIFF recently hosted a special advance screening of Justin Chon’s BLUE BAYOU, which will open nationwide on September 17 only in theaters. This is Justin’s 4th film as a director. His first film, MAN UP, which is a bromance black comedy that he shot entirely in Hawai‘i with YouTube star KevJumba some years ago,

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STOPPING THE SPREAD

Features, Hawai‘i Films, Travel / By Kanani Sato

How a Continuous Misrepresentation of Hawai‘i in Films Has Burdened Locals Because cinema is often used as an escape for people feeling trapped, stuck, or uninspired, it only makes sense that the genre of “vacation movies” exists. THE HANGOVER (2009), JUST GO WITH IT (2011), and CRAZY RICH ASIANS (2018) all fall into the category

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HIFF SELECT AUGUST: THE WITCHES OF THE ORIENT

Features, HIFF Selects, Reviews / By HIFF Programming

It is only apropos to celebrate the Tokyo Olympics with a new documentary that celebrates the game changing feats of Olympians that competed in the last Tokyo Games. As visually stylish as it is overall captivating, THE WITCHES OF THE ORIENT takes a solidly crafted look at a fascinating chapter of Olympic history with

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WORLD OF WONG KAR WAI: The Ultimate WKW Mixtape

Leave a Comment / Features, HIFF@HOME / By HIFF Programming

We have invited some Wong Kar Wai super fans to discuss their love for the famed Hong Kong auteur’s work in celebration of HIFF’s virtual cinema series of WORLD OF WONG KAR WAI, a presentation of 7 digitally remastered classic films, streaming on HIFF”s streaming platform for the entire month of February. Here is a

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WORLD OF WONG KAR WAI: Mastery of Retrospection, by Taylour Chang

Leave a Comment / Features, Streaming / By Guest Author

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HIFF presents Hawai‘i made short films at Aloha Drive-In

Leave a Comment / Drive-In, Events, Features, Programming Updates / By HIFF Programming

Aloha Drive-In Movies screenings are back! The popular drive-in event is presenting two films every Friday and Saturday at Ala Moana Center all through February. Both films presented each night share a theme–i.e. “Black History Month: We Need A Hero” for SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDERVERSE and BLACK PANTHER on February 5 and BILL & TED’S

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WONG KAR WAI: How (and when) I watch his quintessential films

Leave a Comment / Features, Reviews / By Lee Ngo

We have invited some Wong Kar Wai super fans to discuss their love for the famed Hong Kong auteur’s work in celebration of HIFF’s virtual cinema presentation of WORLD OF WONG KAR WAI, a presentation of 7 digitally remastered classic films, streaming on HIFF”s streaming platform for the entire month of February. This is a

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