Michael Kang's "KNOTS" to Receive World Premiere at Hawaii International Film Festival

Oct. 7, 2011 - PRLog -- HONOLULU - Island Film Group today announced that its independent feature film "KNOTS," directed by Michael Kang ("The Motel" and "West 32nd") and written by and starring Hawaii's own Kimberly-Rose Wolter, will receive its world premiere at the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, October 17. Also starring Illeana Douglas ("Cape Fear" and television's "Entourage"), Sung Kang ("The Fast & The Furious"), Mia Riverton ("Red Doors") and Janel Parrish ("Bratz: The Movie" and television's "Pretty Little Liars"), "KNOTS" is a witty take on the lives and loves of a family of Honolulu wedding planners. Tickets for the world premiere of "KNOTS" at the Dole Cannery Theater are on sale now at http://www.hiff.org.

Island Film Group's Roy Tjioe and Ricardo Galindez – the same team that produced/ executive produced independent feature films such as "Princess Ka`iulani," "Soul Surfer," as well as television's "Beyond the Break" – played an instrumental role in bringing the filming of "KNOTS" to locations across Oahu. "KNOTS" also features an original score by renowned ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro and showcases songs by such beloved local artists as Na Leo Pilimehana, John Cruz, Anuhea, Makana, Paula Fuga, Olomana, Willie K, Kepa Kruse and Eric Gilliom.

Wolter, who made her writing debut with the feature film "Tre," was born and raised in Manoa. A graduate of Mid-Pacific Institute (Mid-Pac), Wolter was a member of their first graduating class to complete the Mid-Pacific School of the Arts program, where she took her first writing class. Wolter attended the University of Hawaii and went on to complete her education at the University of Southern California. She was joined on the "KNOTS" set by fellow Hawaii-born cast-mate Janel Parrish in this local production that shares an international message with wry humor and Island-style charm.

A familiar face to HIFF fans, Kang has garnered a host of nominations and awards for his previous films. Accolades for "The Motel" include the 2005 Humanitas Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and the 2003 NHK International Filmmakers Award, as well as jury prizes from the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, the San Diego Asian Film Festival and the VC Film Festival. "The Motel" was also nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature in 2007.

"KNOTS" is a production of Island Film Group (through Knots Productions) and Redhead Productions.

"KNOTS" - Plot Synopsis

In the UN-romantic comedy "KNOTS," matriarch Miriam (Illeana Douglas) is three times divorced, with one daughter born from each husband. What ensues is a recipe for comical family strife as the daughters finally reach the breaking point of addressing feelings repressed thanks to mom’s poor choices in men.

When eldest daughter Lily (Kimberly Rose-Wolter) rejects her boyfriend’s marriage proposal, she decides to return home to Hawaii for family support. It turns out the family is having troubles of their own – their wedding planning business is being run into the ground by Lily’s two half-sisters Twinny (Mia Riverton) and Hoku (Janel Parrish). It’s left to Lily to get things on the right track. If things couldn’t get worse, Lily’s ex-boyfriend Kai (Sung Kang) enters the picture, as does a surprise reveal that makes reconciliation no easy matter.

With "KNOTS," director Michael Kang ("The Motel," "West 32nd") vibrantly interweaves multiple storylines together in this brisk, delightful film. As the title "KNOTS" implies, no family is too non-traditional, no relationship too unexpected, for the ties that bind. – Eric Lallana, San Diego Asian Film Foundation.

Tickets: Tickets for the world premiere of "KNOTS" are currently on sale at the Hawaii International Film Festival Box office at www.hiff.org.

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About Island Film Group
Island Film Group is a Hawai‘i-based entertainment production and financing company. Through its related companies, Island Film Group works with local,national and international filmmakers to develop and produce film and television projects in and about Hawai‘i for domestic and international distribution. To learn more, visit www.islandfilmgroup.com.