HIFF
The friendship of five high schoolers is tested in
David Cunningham's film, "Beyond Paradise," set on the
Big Island. Playing the main characters, from left to right,
are Roy Newton, Daryl Bonilla, Priscilla Basque,
Lorenzo Callender and Kalani.

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Director comes home
to ‘Paradise’

Star-Bulletin

"Beyond Paradise" is a coming-of-age film set in Hawaii about the characters Mark, Zulu, Ronnie Boy and Keao during their last semester of high school.

This is the vision-turned-independent, semi autobiographical film of director/writer David Cunningham, who lived on the Big Island from age four until he left for college on the mainland.

"I had a rich and unique childhood growing up on the Big Island and also had three close friends who took me under their wings to show me the Hawaii beyond the post card," Cunningham said. "When I moved to Los Angeles I saw so many haoles it seemed weird not to be a minority. I wanted to take the cross-cultural experience I had and put it on film."

In "Beyond Paradise" Mark (Roy Newton) is the only "haole" of the group who has just moved to the Big Island from the mainland with his mother. Mark discovers a world a lot different from the Hawaii he imagined, with its own codes, rules and culture. For the first time in his life Mark is a minority.

Mark wins the love of Lehua (Priscilla Basque) who guides him in his exploration of his tropical paradise. After proving himself surfing, Mark earns the respect and friendship of three local surfers: Zulu (Kalani), Ronnie Roy (Lorenzo Callender) and Keao (Daryl Bonilla).

Their new-born friendship is tested as the lives of the teen friends erupt with broken promises, secrets revealed, drug addictions and racism.

"Most filmmakers use Hawaii as a backdrop; I wanted to show life beyond that," Cunningham said. "That even in paradise there are real people with real struggles just like anywhere else, but there also is tremendous beauty in the Hawaiian culture with all its warmth, music and loyalty."

The film, which was photographed last January and February, had nearly an all Big Island crew. Action scenes were filmed all over the island, including snowboarding on Mauna Kea and surfing along the Big Island's north shore. Underwater photography was done by well known surfing photographer Yuri Farrant.

Cunningham and his production company Oxygen Films and Kamaaina Film Partners are looking for a distributor to get his film into commercial theaters. Following its world premiere at the Hawaii International Film Festival, "Beyond Paradise" will be screened in Los Angeles for motion picture executives in December.

"This is not a political movie," Cunningham emphasized. "It's about how simple friendship can make a difference."

World premiere

 What: "Beyond Paradise" screens

When: 3 p.m. tomorrow

Where: Hawaii Theatre

Tickets: $6 general; $5 for HIFF Ohana

members

Also: 8:15 p.m. Wednesday at the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial Visitors' Center

Call: 528-3456

HIFF SCREENINGS

These are the movies being shown tomorrow at the Hawaii International Film Festival, which runs through Friday. Tickets are $5 for HIFF Ohana members, $6 for non-members.

East-West Center
5:30 p.m. Sacred Vessels
7 p.m. Taking Pictures

Hawaii Theatre
10 a.m. Deep in Paradise
Noon. Milagras
3 p.m. Beyond Paradise (with short) Erosion
6 p.m. The Making of Mahatma
9:30 p.m. Fun Bar Karaoke

Honolulu Academy of Arts
11 a.m. Song of the Islands
2 p.m. Waikiki Wedding
4 p.m. Blackrock
6:30 p.m. Coming Out Under Fire (with short) Sewing Woman
9:30 p.m. My Teacher East Biscuits

UH Art Auditorium
10 a.m. Homesick Eyes
Noon. From Jemapoh to Manchestee
2:30 p.m. Murmur of Youth
5 p.m. Made in Hong Kong
7:30 p.m. Sense & Sensibility

USS Arizona Memorial Visitors' Center 1
6 p.m. My Secret Cache
8:15 p.m. Deep in Paradise

USS Arizona Memorial Visitors' Center 2
6:15 1999
8:30 p.m. Hacks

McCoy Pavilion
2:30 p.m. Stomp Out Loud
4:30 p.m. Advertising Missionaries
6:30 p.m. The Ad and the Ego
8 p.m. Images Under the Shadows