Isle actors -- from left, Deneb Catalan as Sid, Lena Kaneshiro
as Denise, Jeremy Pippen as Gordon and Kira Weber as Violet
-- star in "A Boy, A Girl and A Dead Cat," which also features
a soundtrack with cuts by local performers such
as Henry Kapono and Forte.

Tween-age comedy
showcases isle talent

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

"A Boy, A Girl and A Dead Cat," a film directed by Hawaii-based filmmaker Jon Brekke and featuring a cast of young actors from Hawaii, will be featured at the 19th annual Hawaii International Film Festival at 9:45 a.m. Sunday at the Dole Cannery Theatre. A second showing is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. Nov. 13.

The edgy "tween-age romantic comedy" is about the character Gordon, who is nearing the end of his high school days. Jeremy Pippen, a 20-year-old student in journalism and theater at the University of Hawai'i, plays Gordon, who insists on being a Gloomy Gus even though he has a cherry convertible 1966 Plymouth Comet, his friends are funny and his blind date for the prom is a knockout.

The ride to the prom takes a few twists and turns as Gordon and his friends wrestle their fears and themselves.

Other local actors include Deneb Catalan, Lena Kaneshiro, Kira Weber and Eric Nemoto, founder of The Actors Group.

The "Dead Cat" soundtrack features cuts from local performers Henry Kapono, John Cruz, Forte, Nux Vomica and Na Leo Pilimehana.

Director Brekke is a supporter and founder of Yellow Brick Studio, a small Kakaako theater group featuring original work.

He made his Hawaii film debut at the 1992 HIFF with " 'Tis the Season -- A Hawaiian Christmas Story."

"A Boy, A Girl and A Dead Cat" has also been selected for this year's Angel City Film Festival, with screenings scheduled in Los Angeles and New Mexico.

ON SCREEN What: "A Boy, A Girl and A Dead Cat" When: 9:45 a.m. Sunday and 12:45 p.m. Nov. 13 Where: Dole Cannery Theatre Cost: $6 general; $5 Hawaii Film Fans, students, seniors and military Call: 528-HIFF (4433)

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