Keola Beamer musical portrait
is captivating, revealing
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Review by John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.comKeola Beamer may or may not be the world's greatest slack-key guitarist (it's certain he'd never describe himself as such), but in "Kiho'alu (Loosen the Key)," a feature-length film on Beamer and his music, director Kenneth Burgmaier has quite possibly created the world's best slack-key documentary.
"Kiho'alu (Loosen the Key)"Part of the "Hawaii Panorama" series at the Hawaii International Film Festival.
Playing today at noon, University of Hawaii at Hilo; 1 p.m., Kauai Community College; 5 p.m. Maui Community College
It is such an erudite and beautifully produced documentary that the failure of the decision-makers at the Hawai'i International Film Festival to nominate it for a Golden Maile Award in that category is puzzling.
Burgmaier adeptly alternates between performance footage, interviews and scenic shots in introducing the history and cultural significance of the music, and establishing Beamer's place as a master musician and teacher. The performance footage -- a Beamer concert featuring wife Moanalani, mother Nona Beamer and bassist John Kolivas -- offers not only familiar musical fare for fans and friends fortunate enough to have caught him in concert recently, but captures his work at much closer range.
Although the documentary was not done for strictly educational purposes, sharp-eyed students will find plenty of close-up shots documenting Beamer's fingering, strumming and plucking techniques.
Anyone discovering Keola Beamer and his music through this film will be instantly captivated by his storytelling, as well.
The interview segments fill in much of the personal side of this musical portrait. Beamer gives his account of the history of slack key and explains in detail his feelings about his Hawaiian heritage and the Beamer family legacy. Interview clips of his wife and his famous mother add insights into his family heritage.
The significance of his unusual guitar -- it has two small sound holes instead of a single central one -- is explained as Beamer visits his luthier, Steve Grimes.
George Winston -- who co-produced the movie with Burgmaier and fellow Dancing Cat executive Ben Churchill -- provides an overview of slack key's importance within the broader context of American folk styles and speaks of his long friendship with Beamer. (Beamer is one of the mainstays of the well-received "Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters," series which Winston has produced for more than a decade.)
Interviews with Willie Nelson and Willie K, and several other Dancing Cat artists -- Ledward Kaapana, Cyril Pahinui, Ozzie Kotani and Cindy Combs -- add other viewpoints on slack key's place in modern Hawaii and Beamer's place in the pantheon of slack-key guitar masters.
When: Through Sunday on Oahu Hawai'i International Film Festival
Schedules: Pick up copies at Dole Signature Theatres and at Starbucks and Blockbuster locations;
Theaters: Signature Dole Cannery, the Doris Duke at the Academy, Consolidated's Waikiki Twins 2 theater and Blaisdell Center
Tickets: Per film, $7 general; $6 (children, military, students and 62 and older); $1 discount for matinees
Call: 528-4433
Neighbor islands
When: Friday through Nov. 10
Locations: Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center (808-823-8444); Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theatre, Maui Community College Ka Lama No. 103 and Ritz-Carlton Kapalua (808-573-4242); Kaunakakai School on Molokai (808-553-3455); and University of Hawaii at Hilo Campus Center, Palace Theatre and Keauhou Cinema on the Big Island (808-969-9412 in East Hawaii and 808-322-2323 in West Hawaii)
HIFF Web site
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