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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 4:19 p.m., Monday, October 22, 2007

HIFF films today include 'The Killing of John Lennon'

Lesa Griffith
Advertiser Staff Writer

On its fourth day, the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival screens 19 films, including the British production "The Killing of John Lennon," which was partially shot on O'ahu.

Two other films about Hawai'i, one by an Australian the other a German production, will be shown: "Kalaupapa Heaven" and "Maui Boyz."

"The Killing of John Lennon," directed by Andrew Piddington, follows highly functioning sociopath Mark David Chapman from Honolulu to New York where he fulfills his bloody goal.

The dialogue is made up of only Chapman words that are on the record.

"Kalaupapa Heaven" is the latest documentary by Australian filmmaker Paul Cox, whose oeuvre includes 1998's "Molokai: The Story of Father Damien." While the film raises many questions that go unanswered, relying solely on talking-head interviews with Kalaupapa's remaining residents, it is a lyrical visual poem that honors the people with Hansen's disease who were exiled to the remote — and strangely idyllic — outpost, and who ultimately chose to remain there when they were finally allowed to leave.

German filmmaker Carsten Maaz follows a handful of Maui residents to paint a portrait of Valley Isle life. From paniolo Greg Friel to surfer Buzzy Kerbox, Maaz captures the disparate backgrounds and cultures that co-exist on Maui. And the cinematography is enchanting.

"Maui Boyz": 3:15 p.m.

"Kalaupapa Heaven": 6 p.m.

"The Killing of John Lennon": 6:30 p.m.

For the complete HIFF schedule, go to www.hiff.org.