HONOLULU, HI (September 28, 2009) –The 2009 Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) continues its dedication to the green movement with a host of screenings focused on preserving environmental sustainability through social responsibility.
The ‘Green Screen” Showcase, sponsored by Whole Foods, features five films, each with a unique message. THE BURNING SEASON is an eco-thriller about a young man not afraid to confront the biggest challenge of our time. EARTH DAYS, from acclaimed director Robert Stone traces the origins of the modern environmental movement through the eyes of nine Americans. INGREDIENTS explores a thriving local food movement as our world becomes a more flavorless, disconnected and dangerous place to eat. THE LAST BEEKEEPER is a documentary by Jeremy Simmons examining the enormity of how bees are vanishing. NO IMPACT MAN: THE DOCUMENTARY is the story of Colin Beavan, a man with a blog and a mission to live one year with no net impact on the environment.
Over 170 films from 36 different countries will be featured at this year’s festival. HIFF’s 2009 program is being held at the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Cinemas from October 15–25. Tickets go on sale Thursday, October 1st for HIFF Ohana members and Monday, October 5th to the public. General admission tickets are available for $10 or $9 for students, seniors, children and military. Tickets may be purchased in person at HIFF’s box office at 650 Iwilei Road #101 across from Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Cinemas or by phone at (808) 548-5905. The film guide is available now online at www.hiff.org. For more information please visit us at www.hiff.org.
FILM SYNOPSES (ALL SCREENING TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
(MY HIFF: Indicates Other Films Viewers Might Like)
THE BURNING SEASON
GREEN SCREEN
HAWAII PREMIERE
Dorjee Sun, a young Australian entrepreneur, believes there's money to be made from protecting rainforests in Indonesia, saving the orangutan from extinction and making a real impact on climate change. Armed with a backpack, he sets out across the globe to find investors in his carbon-trading scheme. THE BURNING SEASON is an eco-thriller about a young man not afraid to confront the biggest challenge of our time.
Australia 2009 | 90M
Director: Cathy Henkel
Cast: Dorjee Sun, Lone Droscher-Nielsen, Achmadi
21-Oct
22-Oct
MY HIFF: NO IMPACT MAN / SAVING LUNA
EARTH DAYS
GREEN SCREEN
HAWAII PREMIERE
In EARTH DAYS, acclaimed director Robert Stone traces the origins of the modern environmental movement through the eyes of nine Americans who propelled the movement from its beginnings in the 1950s to its moment of triumph in 1970 with the original Earth Day, and to its status as a major political force in America. The result is both a poetic meditation on humankind’s complex relationship with nature and a probing analysis of past responses to environmental crises.
United States 2008 | 102M
Director: Robert Stone
16-Oct
21-Oct
MY HIFF: NO IMPACT MAN / INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENTS
GREEN SCREEN
WORLD PREMIERE
American food is in a state of crisis. Obesity and diabetes are on the rise, food costs are skyrocketing, family farms are in decline and our agricultural environment is in jeopardy. INGREDIENTS explores a thriving local food movement as our world becomes a more flavorless, disconnected and dangerous place to eat. INGREDIENTS is a journey that reveals the people behind the movement to bring good food back to the table and health back to our communities.
United States 2009 | 66M
Director: Robert Bates
Featuring: Bebe Neuwirth, Alice Waters, Greg Higgins
23-Oct
24-Oct
MY HIFF: FLAVOR OF HAPPINESS / EARTH DAYS
THE LAST BEEKEEPER
GREEN SCREEN
HAWAII PREMIERE
Bees are vanishing. Examining the enormity of this loss, Jeremy Simmons' documentary THE LAST BEEKEEPER follows the lives of three commercial beekeepers (from South Carolina, Montana, and Washington) over the course of a year as they struggle with Colony Collapse Disorder. "If all the bees die, what do you have to live for?" asks one of the beekeepers. It's a question for all of us.
United States 2009 | 67M
Director: Jeremy Simmons
21-Oct
22-Oct
MY HIFF: SAVING LUNA / EARTH DAYS
NO IMPACT MAN: THE DOCUMENTARY
GREEN SCREEN
HAWAII PREMIERE
Colin Beavan is a man with a blog and a mission: to live one year with no net impact on the environment. That means giving up many of the things that we, as a society of consumers, accept as necessities for daily life. NO IMPACT MAN takes a fascinating and often beautiful look into one extraordinary year in the life of a man and his family, who are along for the ride, whether they like it or not.
United States 2009 | 93M
Director: Laura Gabbert, Justin Schein
Featuring: Colin Beavan, Michelle Conlin
24-Oct
25-Oct
MY HIFF: BURNING SEASON / EARTH DAYS
Festival Information
Established in 1981, the Hawaii International Film Festival is dedicated to the advancement of understanding and cultural exchange among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and North America through the medium of film. HIFF is the premier international film event in the Pacific and has won the praise of governments, filmmakers, scholars, educators, programmers and film industry leaders throughout the world. For the discovery and exhibition of Asian and Pacific features, documentaries and short films in the nation, it is a primary source. The festival has premiered such movies as ONCE WERE WARRIORS, THE PIANO, SHINE, SHALL WE DANCE, Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN and CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. Plus, DEPARTURES, a Japanese film, had its U.S. premiere at HIFF in 2008, won the HIFF Audience Award and then went on to win the 2009 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
HIFF’s major sponsors include: Regal Entertainment Group, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, Halekulani, Hawaii Tourism Authority and The VILCEK Foundation.
The 2009 Hawaii International Film Festival will be held October 15-25. Images of the films can be downloaded at
http://picasaweb.google.com/
