HIFF41 returns in a big way by partnering with Consolidated Theatres with the majority of in-person screenings at the newly renovated and grand re-opening of Consolidated Kahala Theatres at Kahala Mall! Starting November 5th through the 14th, HIFF will be screening over 60 films, the newly refurbished and upgraded theater has been upgraded with state-of-the-art amenities including:
- Upgraded projection & sound presentation
- Premium luxury seating
- Elevated concessions menu (coming soon)
- New cafe and lounge area (coming soon)
HIFF is committed to provide a safe environment for all of our patrons and attendees. Per Hawai‘i state guidelines, masks are required to be worn indoors, vaccination status or PCR negative test within 48 hours of entry will be checked prior to entry. In addition, all HIFF screenings will be capped at 50% capacity. Read more on HIFF41’s COVID-19 Safety.
Exclusive in-person screenings will be comprised of festival and awards favorites, with many of them by the world’s most celebrated auteurs. Below are some film highlights screening exclusively at Consolidated Kahala Theatres:
C’MON C’MON
(USA, 2021)
Johnny (Joaquin Phoenix) and his young nephew (Woody Norman) forge a tenuous but transformational relationship when they are unexpectedly thrown together in this delicate and deeply moving story about the connections between adults and children, the past and the future, from writer-director Mike Mills (BEGINNERS, 20TH CENTURY WOMEN).
MEMORIA
(Colombia, Thailand, France, Germany, UK)
From the visionary director of UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES, Apichatpong Weerasethakul tells a serene tale of an expatriate woman named Jessica (Tilda Swinton). Ever since Jessica is mysteriously awakened to a loud noise, she is unable to sleep and experiences strange sensory issues. While this occurrence disturbs her, she begins to look at the world differently. MEMORIA is a haunting, introspective account of a woman trying to discover the origins of a noise only she can hear.
DRIVE MY CAR
(Japan, 2021)
Yusuke is a successful stage director and actor married to the enigmatic Oto. But when Oto dies suddenly, Yusuke finds himself left with many unanswered questions. Two years later and still grieving the loss, he accepts a job in Hiroshima and sets off in his red Saab. Upon arrival, he discovers that he will be required to have a chauffeur drive him. His chauffeur turns out to be the taciturn young Misaki. As they increasingly log hours together in the Saab, Yusuke and Misaki form an unexpected bond.
A HERO
(Iran, 2021)
Rahim is in prison because of a debt he was unable to repay. During a two-day leave, he tries to convince his creditor to withdraw his complaint against the payment of part of the sum. But things don’t go as planned. Oscar winning director Asghar Farhadi returns to his native Iran with his latest film, evoking the domestic suspense of A SEPARATION and THE SALESMAN, with a story about truth-telling, honor and the price of freedom.
BARAGAKI – UNBROKEN SAMURAI
(Japan, 2021)
Veteran director and HIFF-fan favorite Masato Harada is back with his most action-packed samurai epic to-date. The master of historical drama, Harada turns his impeccable attention to detail on the life of Toshizo Hijikata, vice-commander of the shinsengumi and staunch opposer of the Meiji Restoration. Starring Junichi Okada as Hijikata in one of his best career performances, and supported by an all-star cast, BARAGAKI: UNBROKEN SAMURAI is based on the novel ‘Moeyo Ken’ by Ryotaro Shiba.
NIGHT RAIDERS
(Canada, 2021)
2043 – In a dystopian future a military occupation controls disenfranchised cities in post-war North America. Children are considered property of the regime which trains them to fight. A desperate Cree woman joins an underground band of vigilantes to infiltrate a State children’s academy and get her daughter back. A parable about the experience of the Indigenous peoples of North America, NIGHT RAIDERS is a female-driven sci-fi drama about resilience, courage and love, executive produced by Oscar® winner and HIFF favorite Taika Waititi.
CAT DADDIES
(USA, 2021)
CAT DADDIES showcases portraits of “cat dads” from all over the country, some of which struggle to navigate the unprecedented events of 2020 with their little furry friends. They include a group of firefighters, a stuntman, a truck driver, a Bay Area tech worker, a schoolteacher, an Instagram influencer, and a terminally ill homeless man living on the streets of New York. These men couldn’t be more different, but they share an unconditional love of their beloved pets.
PARALLEL MOTHERS
(Spain, 2021)
Two single women meet in a hospital room where they are both going to give birth. One is middle aged and doesn’t regret it, while the other is adolescent and scared. As they wander the hospital hallways in the late hours, the two women form a strong bond with one another as they both confront motherhood. The latest from Pedro Almodóvar is a unique chamber piece that combines telenovela with a serious take on his country’s unresolved past.
ANITA
(Hong Kong, 2021)
HIFF is proud to present the US Premiere of the long awaited ANITA, a biopic spanning the life of legendary singer and actress Anita Mui. A household name in Hong Kong, queen of Canto pop, Anita Mui was the very definition of a cultural icon during Hong Kong’s golden age in the eighties and nineties. The film opens with her unforgettable last concert, and spans her incredible life, from her childhood days singing with her sister, to her activism and community service in her later years.
THE POWER OF THE DOG
(Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, USA, 2021)
The latest from THE PIANO director Jane Campion, Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) instills fear in the eyes of those around him. His brother (Jesse Plummons)—all too aware of his brother’s menacing nature—decides to bring home a new wife and her son. But Phil employs his most deadly, awe-inspiring capacity to inflict fear in his brother’s new wife and son. THE POWER OF THE DOG explores toxic masculinity and living between the borders of insanity and passion.
RED ROCKET
(USA, 2021)
The audacious new film from writer-director Sean Baker (THE FLORIDA PROJECT, TANGERINE), starring Simon Rex in a magnetic, live-wire performance, RED ROCKET is a darkly funny, raw, and humane portrait of a uniquely American hustler and a hometown that barely tolerates him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2sqUbBMfaY
HOSTAGE: MISSING CELEBRITY
(South Korea, 2021)
What happens when life imitates art? Korean superstar actor Hwang Jung-min is about to find out. Jung-min has reached the pinnacle of his career, recognized as one of Korea’s top leading men. Resting on his laurels after the latest premiere, he is caught unaware when he finds himself kidnapped by a group of brutal thugs. When the thugs request an immediate ransom, Jung-min must muster up all of his acting skills to mastermind his way out of this real and present danger.
