Posted on: Friday, October 19, 2007
Ready for a close-up
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
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"The Kite Runner," about betrayal and redemption among boyhood friends in Afghanistan, is one of 200 films at the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival.
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BY THE NUMBERS
200 Number of films to be shown 40 Number of countries represented 10 Basic admission (dollars) per film for adults 15 Admission (dollars) for Hawai'i Theatre screenings 70,000 Annual attendance served by HIFF 27 Year of this year's annual event 1,000 Average cost (dollars) per screening
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"Flight of the Red Balloon," starring milky-skinned Juliette Binoche, opened the 27th Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival last night at the Hawai'i Theatre. Now there are 199 films — from 40 countries — left to see, through Oct. 28. Screenings are at Regal Dole Cannery theaters, with a couple of major programs at the Hawai'i Theatre.
Every year the festival's skeleton crew scrambles to pull off some cinematic coups. Here are this year's big deals.
The highly anticipated "The Kite Runner," based on the best-selling novel, may have had its release date postponed six weeks, but Hawai'i filmgoers get a chance to see it at 6:45 p.m. Saturday at the Regal Dole. About two Afghan buddies, exploring betrayed friendships and efforts for redemption, the film contains a homosexual rape scene. Paramount Vantage delayed the film's opening to Dec. 14 to protect the three young Afghan actors who appear in it, due to fears that the volatile material may prompt violence in politically unstable Kabul.
"The distributor has allowed us to screen the movie as planned," said Chuck Boller, HIFF executive director.
Groundbreaking Chinese actress Joan Chen will appear at Hawai'i Theatre for the 7 p.m. Sunday screening of "The Home Song Stories," in which she plays a Shanghai nightclub singer in a failed marriage. At the event, she will receive HIFF's Achievement in Acting Award. Chen also co-stars in Ang Lee's current release, "Lust, Caution," which opens in Honolulu today.
Eddie Kamae's new documentary, "Lahaina: Waves of Change," about the storied West Maui sugar town and seaport, receives its world premiere under the Sunset on the Beach umbrella, with an oceanside screening at 7 p.m. Sunday at Queen's Surf Beach. Entertainer and filmmaker Kamae also will perform with his Sons of Hawai'i in the casual, favored seaside "outdoor theater."
With the ongoing woes of Hawaii Superferry — will it or won't it sail? — HIFF movie-goers will get the opportunity to board the docked vessel. A post-screening party for the Hawai'i premiere of "August Rush," at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Regal Dole will be hold on the ship.
The movie, about an Irish guitarist (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), a sheltered cellist (Keri Russell) and a young musical prodigy (Freddie Hightower), explores the connective bonds of music. It is considered to be the closing night film, though the festival runs another night.
"We were assured, 'We will do your party,' " Boller said of the Superferry commitment. Filmgoers will be shuttled by bus to the site (self-parking is not allowed).
"We can accommodate 810 in the screening, so that many can board the boat, too." The $20 admission includes the movie, the ride and nibbles aboard docked ferry.
This year the festival's usual feature-length attractions and documentaries are augmented by "sides" such as Eat, Drink, Film — a post-show food component to accompanies culinary-oriented films. Family Fest is aimed at parents and youngsters, and the Asian Showcase rounds up titles from China, Korea, India, Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan.
American Immigrant Filmmakers salutes moviemakers who immigrated to the U.S. with tales that define the immigrant's spirit. And Guilty Pleasures is a mini morsel dedicated to not-so-conventional musicals.
The festival has much more in store, including many Hawai'i-produced films. Seek, and ye shall find; go, and ye shall find the joy of cinema.
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LOUIS VUITTON HAWAII INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Now through Oct. 28
Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18, Hawai'i Theatre
Most screenings $10 apiece, some $15 or $20
550-8457, www.hiff.org
Also on the Neighbor Islands: today-Sunday on Maui;
Saturday on Moloka'i; Sunday on Lana'i; Oct. 26-31 on the
Big Island; Oct. 27-28 on Kaua'i
TICKETS
HIFF box office: 11 a.m.
6 p.m. daily
Location: 680 Iwilei Road, Suite 100
Regal box office: 11 a.m. till last screening
Phone: 550-8457
Fax: 536-2707
Rush line: When all tickets are distributed for a screening, rush lines form an hour before screening time at the theater, generally distributed 5 minutes before showtime on a first-come, first-served cash ($10) basis
Basic admission: $10 ($15 for Hawai'i Theatre screenings)
GENERAL ADVICE
<LI> Membership has privileges; individual membership includes six tickets, premium membership, 12 tickets; Fast Pass, 26; depending on status, you stand in different lines for best seating
<LI> Vouchers must be redeemed for tickets at the box office.
<LI> Late seating is not guaranteed.
<LI> Fast Passes must be accompanied by tickets.
<LI> Several lines will be in effect: ADA, Star Pass Holders, Priority, Member, General Admission, Rush
<LI> Ticket exchanges handled at the HIFF box office; no exchanges on day of screening or for expired tickets
<LI> Ticket distribution based on availability of seats
<LI> Will-call desk in theater lobby.
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Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.
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