What to watch at the 2015 Hawaii International Film Festival

Nov 16, 2015

Daniel Ikaika Ito,

With 181 films being screened over the course of 10 days it’s almost impossible to watch all of the movies at the 2015 Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) in Honolulu.

So we looked for all of the films that was made in Hawaii or had a Hawaiian connection so you can have your #myhiffmoment. You can purchase tickets on the HIFF website and we highly suggest checking out these eight films in the next week.

Dear Thalia

Genre: Documentary

Filmmaker Rex Moribe examines the homeless crisis in Honolulu by documenting the Martin family for five months in Kakaako. This powerful film exposes the viewer to the challenges of a local family’s struggle to survive amidst rising costs of living and life on the streets in paradise.

Screening: Tues., Nov. 17, 4 p.m., Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 & IMAX, 735 Iwilei Rd., dearthaliamovie.wordpress.com.

Midori in Hawaii

Genre: Feature

This Japanese film was made in Hawaii and is the story of a wedding photographer named Midori. When her sister and brother in-law visit from Japan, Midori’s life is turned upside down and tensions mount as the trio travels around Hawaii Island together.

Midori Trailer from John Hill on Vimeo.

Screening: Wed., Nov. 18, 6 p.m., Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 & IMAX, 735 Iwilei Rd., midoriinhawaii.com.

Off the Menu

Genre: Documentary

Award-winning filmmaker Grace Lee takes us across the country to find out how food is a reflection of Asian Pacific Americans. From New York’s Lower East Side all the way to Oahu, the characters, traditions and stories explores the culinary arts and how it helps define the cultural identities of a nation of immigrants.

Screening: Sunday., Nov. 22, 12:30 p.m., Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 & IMAX, 735 Iwilei Rd., caamedia.org/offthemenu/.

Pali Road

Genre: Feature

A mystery movie shot entirely in Hawaii featuring Chinese superstar, Michelle Chen. Chen’s character is a doctor that gets into a car accident to wake up married to another man in a life she can’t remember. She searches for the truth to her existence, questioning everything and everyone around her.

Screening: Monday., Nov. 16, 7 p.m., Consolidated Ward Stadium 16 w/Titan XC, 1044 Auahi St., Honolulu; Saturday, Nov. 21, 6:15 p.m., Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 & IMAX, 735 Iwilei Rd., paliroadfilm.com.

The Roots of Ulu

Genre: Documentary

Director John Antonelli retraces the mythical origins of ulu (breadfruit) to the Polynesian voyaging canoes all the way to the present. Today many native practitioners and farmers believe this staple carbohydrate is playing a critical role in the preservation of indigenous culture as well as a means for Hawaii’s food independence.

The Roots of ‘Ulu trailer from Mill Valley Film Group on Vimeo.

Screenings: Monday., Nov. 16, 8:15 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 18, 3:30 p.m., Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 & IMAX, 735 Iwilei Rd., Honolulu, www.facebook.com/rootsofulu/.

Sons of Halawa

Genre: Documentary

This documentary, directed by Matt Yamashita, is set on the island of Molokai in the beautiful and lush Halawa Valley. It’s a story about passing the torch from one generation to another as Anakala (Uncle) Pilipo Solatorio looks to name a successor to be the cultural practitioner of Halawa Valley.

Screenings: Monday., Nov. 16, 8 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 18, 3:30 p.m., Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 & IMAX, 735 Iwilei Rd., Honolulu.

Tyke Elephant Outlaw

Genre: Documentary

This the true story of a circus elephant, Tyke, running rampant in Honolulu in 1994. The film explorers what caused the elephant to snap, and how this tragic incident sparked an international fight concerning animals being used for entertainment.

Tyke Elephant Outlaw Trailer 2015 from Tyke Elephant Outlaw on Vimeo.

Screenings: Saturday., Nov. 21, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 22, 12 p.m., Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 & IMAX, 735 Iwilei Rd., Honolulu; Sunday, Nov. 22, 5:30 p.m., Consolidated Koko Marina 8, 7192 Kalanianaole Hwy., Honolulu, tykeelephantoutlaw.com.

Voyage: Into the Depths of Kanaloa

Genre: Documentary

Follow 14 students from Halau Holomoana on a history-making voyage to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It’s a 1500-mile, open-ocean sail that is journey of a lifetime to Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.