Kumu Hina
She feels more like a boy than even most boys. This documentary follows eleven-year-old Hawaiian girl Ho’onani who dreams of leading her school’s traditional hula group. Hula is a mixture of dance and theatrical performance that is central to the culture of the Hawaiian people and requires a lot of practice. Here too, Ho’onani would like to dance on the boys’ side. Normally she wouldn't be allowed to do so but Ho’onani is fortunate to have as her teacher the charismatic Kumu Hina, who assigns Ho’onani a special place in the middle. In ancient Hawaii there was always a life between genders, and a place for those who embrace both men and women. Kumu Hina knows what she is talking about for, twenty years ago, she was a man. Kumu Hina uses her profound knowledge to convey to her pupils the culture of their ancestors – a culture that has not been forgotten, in spite of years of influence by Christian missionaries. The magic word is ‘aloha’, meaning a life in harmony with nature. It also means that every man and every woman should be loved, respected and valued.
details
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Runtime
25 min -
Country
United States -
Year of Presentation
2015 -
Year of Production
2014 -
Director
Dean Hammer, Joe Wilson -
Cast
Leo Anderson Akana, Haemaccelo Kalu, Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Ho'Onani Kamai -
Production Company
Qwaves, Haleia, Hawaii 96172 -
Berlinale Section
Generation -
Berlinale Category
Short Film
pictures from the movie
Biography Dean Hammer
Born in Montclair, New Jersey in 1951, he is a scientist, bestselling nonfiction
author and award-winning filmmaker who uses media to explain complex and controversial topics to audiences of all ages. He lives with his partner Joe Wilson on the north shore of the Hawaiian island of O’ahu and collaborates with him there in making films about the history and culture of Pacific islanders.
Filmography Dean Hammer
2005 Favela Surf Dreams | 2006 Joy Ride | 2006 Otros amores | 2006 The Preacher and the Poet | 2006 We Belong | 2008 Thorn in Your Side | 2010 Out in the Silence | 2014 Boy in a Dress | 2017 Lady Eva | 2018 Leitis in Waiting | 2020 Kapaemahu
Biography Joe Wilson
Born in Oil City, Pennsylvania in 1964. Frustrated by the limitations of traditional human rights work, he turned to film as a way of reaching wide audiences with stories that would inform and compel people to act.
Filmography Joe Wilson
2005 Favela Surf Dreams | 2006 Joy Ride | 2006 Otros amores | 2006 The Preacher and the Poet | 2006 We Belong | 2008 Thorn in Your Side | 2010 Out in the Silence | 2011 Boy in a Dress | 2017 Lady Eva | 2018 Leitis in Waiting | 2020 Kapaemahu