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HIFF
Oscar winner Kevin Spacey stars in "The Big Kahuna,"
a film that opens the third annual Hawaii International
Spring Film Festival tomorrow.

‘Big Kahuna’
kicks off HIFF
spring fling

Book sale at 'Molokai' screening

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

THE Big Kahuna," starring Oscar winner Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito, kicks off the 3rd Annual Hawaii International Spring Film Festival at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Hawaii Theatre Center. The film will be followed by "Dong Gong, Xi Gong (East Palace, West Palace)" at 9:30 p.m.

The Chinese film finally makes its Hawaii premiere after being pulled from general distribution by Chinese authorities who deemed the subject matter too controversial to be released. The film's director, Zhang Yuan, was barred by the Chinese government from attending the film's 1997 Cannes Film Festival showing. This film is the first from China to deal openly with homosexuality.

Filmgoers also can join in Nuuanu Nights festivities behind the Hawaii Theatre from 6 to 11 p.m. The theme of the party is "The Big Kahuna," and among the entertainers will be the Big Kahuna of funk and soul Jerry Martini. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is an original member of Sly and the Family Stone and currently plays sax for The Artist otherwise known as Prince.

A new attraction for the Nuuanu Avenue party -- stretching from Chaplain Lane and King Street -- will be the glow-in-the-dark bubble room lighted by glowing bubbles.

The festival will continue through Sunday, showcasing several internationally acclaimed and award-winning works. Other films are:

Saturday

"Molokai: The Story of Father Damien," The tale of the Belgian priest's sacrifice at Kalaupapa; noon

"East is East," Outstanding British Film of the Year, 2000; 3 p.m.

"My Mother Frank," Australian comedy; 6:30 p.m.

"Cheung Fo (The Mission)," Best Director/Best Film, Hong Kong Film Critics Society, 2000; Five retired criminals are drawn back into the life to protect a Triad boss who is marked for death; 9 p.m.

Sunday

"BareNaked in America," Jason Priestly stairs in this documentary about touring with Barenaked Ladies, one of Canada's most popular musical groups as they tour the United States; 9 p.m.

"Hathi (Elephant)," takes film-goers on a journey to India to see elephants and mahouts (trainers and guardians) who dedicate their lives to these graceful, intelligent creatures; 3 p.m.

"Jubaku," is based on a best-selling Japanese novel and is a modern-day tale of greed, corruption and heroism inside Japan's banking industry just before its collapse; 6:30 p.m.

The Hawaii International Film Festival is a non-profit organization established in 1981. HIFF presents two film festivals annually, with the main festival in November.

Block party What: Nuuanu Nights, with food, entertainment and art exhibitions When:6 to 11 p.m. tomorrow Where: Nuuanu Avenue Cost: Free Call: 732-9575 On screen What: 3rd Annual Hawaii International Spring Film Festival When: Friday through Sunday Where: Hawaii Theatre Cost: $8 general; $7 for Hawaii Film Fan members Call: 528-FILM, check out www.hiff.org, or visit Blockbuster Video locations

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Books on Mother Marianne will be sold
Saturday before the "Molokai" screening.

‘Molokai’ screening
features book sale

In conjunction with the return engagement of "Molokai: The Story of Father Damien," two new books about Franciscan Sister Mother Cope will be available at Hawaii Theatre before the screening of the film at noon Saturday.

The books, "Mother Marianne of Molokai: Heroic Woman of Hawaii," written for children, and the other, "Mother Marianne of Molokai: Valiant Woman of Hawaii" for adults, gives information on the Franciscan sisters and their accomplishments. The books are published by Editions du Signe.

The children's book is $8.95; the adult book is $14.95; or purchase both for $20. The books were written by Mary Cabrini Durkin in collaboration with Sister Mary Laurence Hanley.

Mother Marianne, along with Father Damien, played a key role in improving the lives of Hansen's disease patients.

For more information about the books, call 547-6420.

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