Stop the press!!! Okay PACIFIC SUPERHEROES, this is what happens when we are being represented by the OTHER and not ourselves!!!‘Its 2008 and we’re still getting thrown the ‘noble savage/barbarian’ title!!! Wat da #$@ they ignore us, our academics and our historians to fill their own pockets for capital gain. A story to tell, but at what price?
‘From its controversial titles to its non-Hawaiian star to its use of Iolani Palace, the $9 million Princess Ka’iulani film that’s being produced by Matador Pictures and Trailblazer Films and is currently shooting on Oahu is causing a big stir among Native Hawaiians, state senators, and others. (At present it is now currently in postproduction).
Let’s start with the title controversy: originally entitled “Barbarian Princess” (ironically so, since this was how the San Francisco Chronicle referred to the princess back in the day), the title was changed to “The Last Princess” to appease those who found the former title offensive (for obvious reasons). However, this new title is now an issue because Ka’iulani was not in fact the last princess–that designation, some say, belongs to the still-living royal descendant Abigail Kawananakoa.
Next is the casting of non-Hawaiian Q’orianka Kilcher (The New World) to play the half-Hawaiian, half-Scottish princess, despite director Marc Forby vowing to cast a Native Hawaiian in the role. The film also stars Barry Pepper (Flags of Our Fathers, The Green Mile, Saving Private Ryan), Will Patton (A Mighty Heart, Remember the Titans, Armageddon), and Shaun Evans (Being Julia, Cashback).
Then there’s the use of the sacrosanct Iolani Palace, normally off-limits to commercial filming. People are worried (with reason!) that a rough-and-tumble film crew will damage the palace’s fragile and valuable contents.
And of course there’s the whole representation/accuracy issue in terms of what the film will depict. The filmmakers say that there is some dramatic license taken–it is, after all, a narrative feature and not a documentary.
In the latest news, a group of state senators led by Clayton Hee just issued a letter to state film commissioner Donne Dawson complaining about the film and questioning its use of the state’s production tax credits. Said Hee, “The grade-C movie being filmed at Iolani Palace should properly describe what it is, an inaccurate and insensitive depiction, an extension of the treatment of others towards the host culture at the expense of the treatment of each of us taxpayers.” Dawson said that the film had hired “several Hawaiian consultants who are experts in Hawaiian language and culture.”
More current articles can be found at the hawaiian film office blog or spacifix magazine with regards to this film. aaarrrrgggghhhhh!!!
Man this is way cool interesting reading-I would definitely like to see this movie when it comes out. Pity that the Hawaiians could not tell their own story first from the insiders point of view of Princess Kai’ulani. And if Abigail Kawanakoa is the living descendant then what is the credibility of the filmmakers research into the background? I say the Hawaiians need to tell their own stories- not an outsider. I love this kind of historical stuff- even the promotional image is great,just draws you in…so, I’m waiting to see the movie now…
:):)
Ah, this is a tricky one. I give them props for wanting to tell the story and trying to do it right, they changed the script after strong objections from Kanaka Maoli (removed a controversial love scene) and I think their intentions are good. They’re just always going to be criticized because they aren’t native Hawaiian. I’m torn because I’m a big fan of Qorianka and although she doesn’t have the blood, she was raised right here in Honolulu – as a kid she used to busk down in Waikiki. She is really talented, as a singer, dancer and actress. It’s unfortunate that the filmmakers didn’t cast a Hawaiian girl in the role but because of her experience, they gave it to Qorianka. It’s like Cliff Curtis playing an Iraqi, Colombian, Mexican or any of the other ‘foreign’ roles he’s played. On the other hand, I think they could have sent a talent scout into the Hawaiian immersion schools and found an undiscovered talent and groomed her for the part. Like how they found Ana Paquin and Keisha Castle-Hughes in NZ. I guess they just weren’t willing to take the risk with an unknown. The Hawaiians have the same problem with The Rock playing Kamehameha but The Rock is putting his own money and name into getting that film made so I’m behind him all the way. It’s a great story that needs to be told and really hasn’t been yet. Well, that’s my 2 cents!