Sunset on the Beach, the frequent movie-with-food event at Queen's Surf Beach, will offer a slice of culture this Saturday and Sunday, when the State Department of Education's Hawaiian Language Immersion Program joins title sponsor Tesoro in presenting a pair of popular films with Polynesian cultural relevance.

The festivities are themed "E Ola Ka 'Olelo Hawai'i (The Hawaiian Language Shall Live)."

Saturday's film is "The Land Has Eyes," an award-winning film by Vilsoni Hereniko of Honolulu, which tells the story about Viki (Sapeta Taito), the daughter of a convicted thief, who is shamed by her village for being poor. Inspired by the Warrior Woman from her island's mythology, the film tackles theme of cultural rights, justice and freedom amid the tropical splendor of Rotuma, Fiji. The film was shown at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in January 2004. "E Ola Ka 'Olelo," a 28-minute short, will also be shown.

Sunday's film is "Whale Rider," an award-winning New Zealand film explores themes of love, rejection and pride of a young Maori girl, Paikea (played by Academy Award nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes), who battles to fulfill a destiny her grandfather, Koro (Rawiri Paratene), refuses to recognize.

Food booths will open at 4 p.m. both days, with such vendors as K's Restaurant, Leo's Taverna, Pizza Hut and Royal Hawaiian Hot Dog.

Films will screen at about 7:15 p.m., preceded at 5 p.m. with music; Kama'ehu and Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning Weldon Kekauoha will perform Sunday, but Saturday's roster has not been announced.

Admission is free.