Edgy titles get chance to shine at new film festival

• Paradise found

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

In "11'9"01," 11 filmmakers each do a documentary on Sept. 11 and its aftermath in New York City. Photos courtesy of Cinema Paradise Film Festival 'Cinema Paradise Film Festival' Featuring 80 films by a range of filmmakers Tomorrow — Dec. 12, The Art House at Restaurant Row and Movie Museum $7 per film; $20 for a day pass (for movies on a specific day); $50 all-festival pass (for all films during the run) 526-4171 (Art House); 551-5866 (Sergio Goes); 735-8771 (Movie Museum); info@cinemaparadise.org

Cinema Paradise Film Festival starts tomorrow at The Art House at Restaurant Row and the Movie Museum. Sounds like a reel deal. — and it is.

The founders of the Honolulu Underground Film Festival of the 1990s are prime movers behind this festival, which covers indie, alternative and even somewhat mainstream turf. For the first Cinema Paradise Film Festival, they have put together a program of progressive works subdivided into themes that include "New Directions," "Hip-Hop Film Festival," "Island Visions," "Life Is Short" and "War and Peace."

Many titles have earned praise and raves at global film festivals, but without a festival link would not be exhibited here.

"It's really not an underground festival," said Sergio Goes, one of the principals, though Chris Kahunahana, founder of the late HUFF, played a large part in starting it.

Kahunahana had access to "a whole program of great hip-hop films that won awards at the

Sundance Festival, and some really prominent films, including 'Scratch' and 'Freestyle.' That was the spark for 'Cinema Paradise'," Goes said.

The films should attract a niche audience eager to discover edgy films, hoping to recognize up-and-coming directors.

"I think it's a terrific concept, which will bring in a whole new crowd," said Don Brown, who oversees The Art House. "We're assigning two screens — the Sony Video Theater and Theater No. 6, a larger house — so we're ready for some action."

"You can't make assumptions about the movies. You have to come and see, and then decide," Goes said. "We do have a lot of important, serious documentaries, too."

The festival was conceived in three short months but has galvanized support from the community, Goes said, creating partnerships that could become lasting.

He cited a number of catalysts — including a budding generation of filmmakers here, the launch of a film and digital school at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, and the dedication of more Honolulu movie screens to stories about the diversity of world cultures, "often challenging our perceptions or misconceptions."

A French film by 11 filmmakers, each part running 11 minutes, nine seconds and one frame, will receive its U.S. premiere at the festival.

The work, "11'09"01," will be the opening night attraction at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow. It is comprised of 11 short films by international movie-makers, representing a diversity of cultures and styles. The common thread: 9/11 and its aftermath.

"We're very proud to show this controversial work by a French production company called Studiocanal in our festival," Goes said. "It premiered in Venice and was shown at the Toronto Film Festival."

Actor Sean Penn one American director; other participants include Ken Loach, Claude Lelouch, Danis Tanovic, Shohei Imamura, Amos Gita•, Youssef Chaine, Mira Nair, and Alejandro Iñárritu.

The closing night film, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, is "Charlotte Sometimes," directed by a former islander, Eric Byler. The movie earlier screened in the fall Hawai'i International Film Festival.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.

Paradise found

"Pleasure and Pain" is a documentary by Danny Clinch on contemporary roots rock icon Ben Harper.

'War and Peace' films

• "11'9"01," opening night film, 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, Art House. Eleven film-makers each do a documentary on the effects of 9/11 and terrorism's aftermath in New York City; the title reflects the European way of writing the date; each film runs 11 minutes, 9 seconds and 1 frame long.
• "7 Days in September," 5:15 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Monday, Art House. A Steven Rosenbaum documentary on the impact of 9/11.

'New Directions' films

• "The Anarchist Cookbook," 10 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Monday, Art House. A film by Jordan Susman, part romantic comedy, part political satire, about a college dropout who joins a radical commune.
• "Pleasure and Pain," 6:30 p.m. Saturday, and 11 p.m. Wednesday, Art House. A documentary by Danny Clinch on contemporary roots rock icon Ben Harper.

'Hip-Hop Film Festival' films

• "Scratch," 9 p.m. Saturday, and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12, Art House. A documentary by Doug Pray on the turntablist culture, mixing music with beaucoup interviews and tracking the history of hip-hop.
• "Freestyle," 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, and 4:15 p.m. Dec. 12, Art House. A film by Kevin Fitzgerarld that documents the phenomenon of improv rap, shot over a decade and packing archival footage of amazing patter and performances.

'Island Visions' films

• "Blood of the Samurai," 10 p.m. tomorrow, Art House. A film by Aaron Yamasato that's a Valentine to the B-action flicks of yesteryear, complete with — yes — blood and gore.

'Women Make Movies' films

• "Senorita Extraviada," 4:15 p.m. Monday and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Art House. A documentary by Lourdes Portillo investigating the kidnapping, rape and murder of 200 young women of Juarez, Mexico.
• "Children of the Crocodile," 3 p.m. Wednesday, Art House. A documentary by Marsha Emerman about two young Timorese-Australian activists born just before Indonesia invaded and occupied their country in 1975, which explores issues of their resistance, survival and cultural identity.

'Life Is Short' films

• "A Great Deal," 4:15 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Wednesday, Art House. A film by Debbie Lum about an agoraphobic woman and her domineering Chinese mother whose lives are changed by a wily telemarketer.
• "Sophie," 4:15 p.m. Monday and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, Art House. A film by Helen Lee about a girl who plans an escape from her abusive father.

The entire schedule of short films will be screened at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Movie Museum.

'Underskatement' films

• "Football Smootball," 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Art House. A documentary, driven by testosterone, about the Volcom surf team on the North Shore.

'Communication Breakdown' films

• "The Drowning Room," 10 p.m. Tuesday and 5:15 p.m. Dec. 12, Art House. An experimental film by Reynold Reynolds and Patrick Jolley, shot entirely in a submerged house to create an atmosphere unlike any other.

Entire schedule of shorts, 6 p.m. Wednesday, the Movie Museum.