Films A to Z

Kumu Hina

Runtime:
25 min.
Year of Production:
2014
Country:
USA
Director:

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

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.

BIOGRAFIE 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.

FILMOGRAFIE Dean Hammer (selection)

2020 Kapaemahu  2018 Leitis in Waiting  2017 Lady Eva  2014 Boy in a Dress  2014 Kumu Hina  2010 Out in the Silence  2008 Thorn in Your Side  2006 The Preacher and the Poet  2006 Otros amores  2006 Joy Ride  2006 We Belong  2005 Favela Surf Dreams 

BIOGRAFIE 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.

FILMOGRAFIE Joe Wilson (selection)

2020 Kapaemahu   2018 Leitis in Waiting   2017 Lady Eva  2014 Kumu Hina  2011 Boy in a Dress  2010 Out in the Silence  2008 Thorn in Your Side  2006 The Preacher and the Poet  2006 Otros amores  2006 Joy Ride  2006 We Belong  2005 Favela Surf Dreams 

Dean Hamer @IMDb
Kumu Hina @IMDb
Joe Wilson @IMDb
Trailer
Interview with Dean Hamer

back to overview