With the 40th Hawai‘i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani (HIFF40) film program available primarily online via HIFF’s streaming service, it is easier than ever to watch our critically-acclaimed and world renown films in the comfort and safety of your own home on your computer, mobile device or TV via Roku, Amazon Firestick and Apple TV. With the last 10 days of HIFF40 starting tomorrow and through November 29, the HIFF staff wanted to provide one last opportunity for budding film fans to see the approximately 80 feature films that are still available to see online.
Therefore, consider purchasing our HIFF40 10-Pack, a discounted ticket package of 10-online vouchers for only $40! Get 10 movies for yourself or others to share. This will give you 10 Codes to redeem for any ONLINE SCREENING using the “EXTRA” Code. Purchase this to watch 10 selections or share the EXTRA codes with friends or loved ones so they can redeem it for ONLINE screenings. Think of this as our Black Friday sale, but we’re pushing it up one week early and extending it for the final 10 days of HIFF40!
The 10-Pack is the simple, no-frills way to watch 10 movies at only $40. That comes out to $4 per movie or 50% discount! Use each individual ticket voucher and view the 10 movies yourself or individually gift them to friends and family. With approximately 80 feature films still available to view until the end of HIFF40, this may sound like too much of a good thing. It may be too much, because where to start on what to see?
For the next couple of days, we are going to be sharing HIFF staffers TOP 10 FILMS TO WATCH. With varying personal tastes, these listicles will be a great starting off point for HIFF40 10-Packers who want to get cracking on their film viewing for the final 10 days of HIFF40! Spread out your viewing throughout these days or save them for Thanksgiving Day with family instead of football and the umpteenth viewing of A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING.
So, let’s start with HIFF Artistic Director Anderson Le’s HIFF40 TOP 10 (and check back for other staffers top picks in future blog posts as well):
ASSASSINS
This documentary on the crazy assassination of Kim Jong-un’s brother in a Malaysian airport and the two women duped into thinking they were part of a reality show prank is bonkers to begin with. Wait until you see how the story unfolds for full mind-blown effect.
DEFINITION PLEASE
Written, directed and starring INSECURE’S Sujata Day, this South Asian-infused quarter-life crisis comedy is part RUSHMORE and part ode to Bollywood melodramas, making it 100% fun!
MEKONG 2030
An omnibus of short films about the Mekong Delta by Southeast Asian directors from the region, this beautiful collection of films range from the slow cinema gothic to near future dystopia to Buddhist mysticism.
MY DONKEY, MY LOVER AND I
Sexy, sultry and very funny, this French rom-com of a romantically unhinged teacher embarking on a long journey with a donkey to find her secret lover in the countryside is a must-see, with a wonderful performance by lead Laure Calamy.
A SIMPLE LIFE
Part of our Hong Kong director Ann Hui retrospective, this is my absolute favorite film from her starring Andy Lau who must care for his family’s “ah ma” after she suffers a debilitating stroke. A humanistic, moving story that only Hui can do.
STRAY
For dog lovers and globetrotters! This dog’s eye view of contemporary Instabul is THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY meets KEDI is expertly crafted, of a dog in its daily life, and the humans it meets along the way.
SUMMER OF 85
Think CALL ME BY YOUR NAME but done by French auteur Francois Ozon and with all the ’80s fashion and music to boot. And murder. Nuff said!
SUMODO: THE SUCCESSORS OF SAMURAI
The definitive, deep dive into the secretive world of sumo, this documentary is made for anyone who watched the Grand Sumo tournaments that were broadcast on Hawai‘i TV back in the day!
WAIKIKI
Our closing night film, entirely made on Oahu, and from award-winning director Christopher Kahunahana, will be available to stream starting November 25. It’s a powerful story of a kanaka maoli woman who is thrown into an extreme situation, while dealing with her own inner-demons.
WEED & WINE
A fascinating documentary of two family businesses of different wares–weed and wine–and two different continents, interweaving their stories of France’s revered winemaking traditions and the entrepreneurial culture emerging of state-recognized, organic cannabis farming.
HIFF40 10-Pack for only $40 + Artistic Director Anderson Le's Top 10 Film Picks
