‘Damien’ in reel
world of Pacific
Film kicks off festival
By Tim Ryan
July 16 through August 1
Star-BulletinHIGHLIGHTING the 5th Annual Pacific Images Film Festival being held July 16-Aug. 1 is the showing of the last remaining copy of the 1950, 90-minute picture "Damien," written and directed by American Samoan John Kneubuhl.
"Damien" features the life and work of Father Damien, who brought world attention to the inhumane conditions for the victims of Hansen's Disease at Kalaupapa on Molokai.
The festival, presented by Pacific Islanders in Communication, includes appearances by actress Rena Owen and screenwriter Riwia Brown, both of the film "Once Were Warriors."
"Damien," which kicks off the festival July 16 at the Academy of Arts, has been out of the public eye for nearly half a century. The film was rediscovered when Kneubuhl's niece, Hawaii playwright Victoria Kneubuhl, was searching for material for her uncle's archives.
During these lost years, Blue Rider Productions found the film in storage while doing research for its latest project, a new film on Father Damien with Robin Williams slated to star. Hearing of Kneubuhl's search, Blue Rider Productions returned the film to her.
Though badly damaged, the film is intact and preliminary reports indicate it can be fully restored for public viewing, said PIC officials who are helping raise the $50,000 for the restoration.
The festival also will feature the world premier of "Hookuikahi: To Unify as One" by Meleanna Meyer. Maori actress Owen will conduct evening acting workshops at Kumu Kahua Theatre and Riwia Brown will teach screenwriting. Times and locations will be announced later.
Pacific Islanders in Communi-cations is a national nonprofit media organization established to increase national public broadcast programming by and about indigenous Pacific Islanders. The organization promotes programming that fosters a deeper understanding of the values inherent in Pacific Island cultures and which enhance public recognition of and appreciation of the descendants of the first peoples of Hawaii, Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands, American Samoa and other Pacific Islands.
The Honolulu Academy of Arts schedule: Film schedule
July 16: 6:30 p.m., "Damien;" 8:30 p.m., "Flight of the Albatross"
July 17: 6:30 p.m. "Hookuikahi: To Unify As One;" followed by "How the Brave Opihi Showed His Aloha" and "E Ola Ka Oleo Hawaii (Let the Hawaiian Language Live"); 8:30 p.m., "Don't Go Past With Your Nose in the Air;" and "Beth's World"
July 18: 6:30 p.m. "Mixed Plate: Shorts from Hawaii and Aoteroa;" "Eaten Alive;" and "Velvet Dreams;" 8:30 p.m., "The Devil Never Sleeps"
University of Hawaii-Manoa Art Auditorium schedule:
Friday: July 24, 6 p.m.: "Silent Tears;" "Bonnie Looksaway Iron Art Wagon;" and "Kelly Loves Tony;" 8 p.m., "Island Memory" and "Flight of the Albatross"
Saturday, July 25: 6 p.m.: "Hookuikahi: To Unify As One;" and "E Ola Ka Oleo Hawaii (Let the Hawaiian Language Live"); 8 p.m., "The Devils Never Sleeps"
Sunday, July 26: 2 p.m., "The Meal;" "Eaten Alive;" and "Nga Wahine;" 4 p.m., "Conjure Women"
University of Hawaii, Hilo Campus Center schedule:
Friday, July 31: 7 p.m., "Hookuikahi: To Unify As One;" and "E Ola Ka Oleo Hawaii (Let the Hawaiian Language Live")
Here's site schedules for other showings with film titles to be announced later.
July 18: Nanakuli High School Cafeteria
July 19: Waianae High School Library
July 21: Lanai City Movie Theatre and Manele Bay
July 22: Molokai-Mitchell Pauole Center
July 23: Kauai-Lihue Neighborhood Center
July 27: Maui Ritz Carlton, Kapalua
July 30: Big Island-Naalehu Theatre and Kahilu Theatre
August 1: Kalaupapa
For more information call the Pacific Islanders in Communications office at 591-0059.
