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Screen Time
Katherine Nichols
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Sundance winner gets free showing
The third annual Hawaiinuiakea: Native Film Showcase takes place today at the Hawaii Convention Center.
Tamara Podemski, an American Indian actress and artist raised in Toronto but living in Los Angeles, will introduce "Four Sheets to the Wind," a coming-of-age film that earned her a special jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival.
Maori filmmaker Te Arepa Kahi, who will present his shorts "The Speaker" and "Taua," also is attending the festival, which began yesterday. He joins Aboriginal filmmaker Dena Curtis with her short "Hush," and Navajo filmmaker Billy Luther, who shares "Miss Navajo." The showcase focuses on stories about Pacific islanders but solicits indigenous films from a variety of other locations. Musical and theatrical performances, workshops and panel discussions supplement the screenings, which begin at 6 p.m. tonight. Admission to all events is free.
The Star-Bulletin is preparing to publish a review of Duane "Dog" Chapman's new book, "You Can Run but You Can't Hide." Will anyone care that the tome, emblazoned with handcuffs, might not qualify as a bastion of literary excellence? Probably not, since it just hit the top spot on the New York Times best-seller list. The Chapmans have been busy touring North America to promote the book, and return to Hawaii at the end of the month for more signings. Everybody loves it.
"We're thrilled, proud and extremely humbled right now," Chapman said in a prepared statement. "It's been such an emotional past year, and the book had to be rewritten so many times with all that was going on. I just feel so blessed that people have wanted to read my story. ... I've been wanting to share it for a long time. There's a lesson about turning your life around, and that there are second chances if you're willing to work hard for that chance to do something good with your life."
The "all that was going on" refers to news that a Mexican court dismissed charges against Duane, Tim Chapman and Leland Chapman in the Andrew Luster case. However, the U.S. State Department will not release the three Chapmans from bond. This means they have to obtain approval for their location at all times. That shouldn't be difficult, with a crowd of fans and media following his every move on his book tour. The next hearing in the case is set for October.
Promotions for Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa's new film "Balls of Fury," about the world of illegal underground pingpong, certainly clarify the desired demographics (males 13 to 35!). Rogue Pictures sent out boxes of briefs -- as in underwear, not documents -- with "Balls of Fury" emblazoned on the front. The official Web site advertises a "big comedy with tiny balls," and the trailer features plenty of bumbling slapstick, as well as Christopher Walken playing an Asian character. Former Hawaii girl Maggie Q also stars. Look for it in theaters on Wednesday.