September 23, 2009 Honolulu Advertiser
'Barbarian Princess' film title raises some hackles in Hawaii
Producers banking that movie's 'ironic' name will appeal to wider audience
By Mary Vorsino
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
Native Hawaiians yesterday expressed anger at the decision to call a soon-to-be-released feature film on Princess Ka'iulani's life "Barbarian Princess," and some went as far as to call the title a publicity stunt and an insult to the young royal's memory.
The producers of the film had scrapped the title in 2008, following outrage from some, but then returned to it. The 130-minute movie will make its world premiere at Hawai'i Theatre on Oct. 16 during the Hawaii International Film Festival. Interest in the film, HIFF officials say, is already high.
"Barbarian Princess," meant to be an ironic title, is what the princess was dubbed by some newspapers during her travels in the 1890s to the Mainland, where she astounded people with her grace, intelligence and beauty. The movie's producers say the title is meant to intrigue audiences, especially those outside of the Islands who wouldn't recognize her name or know her story.
"The ironic reference was done for a specific reason," said Roy Tijoe, a producer for the film and the co-owner of Island Film Group. He said concerns about the title "were coming from people who thought that we were intending a literal reference. Of course, that's not what we're doing."
But yesterday, several Native Hawaiian leaders said the title — ironic or not — is offensive.
"Because it's a painful thing, we don't care for irony," said Jon Osorio, a professor at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Kamakauokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies. "We really feel helpless to deal with producers ... who sensationalize our history in order to get to the wider audience, no matter what their intentions."
Hawai'i entertainer Palani Vaughan, a longtime critic of the project, said that the title of the movie is one of a host of concerns he has with the piece. Vaughan read the script for the film in February, and turned down the part of King Kalakaua. He said the movie distorts history and misses key facts.
"The real damage will be to the millions of viewers worldwide who will walk away (from the movie) with a truly inaccurate portrayal of our history, and that I resent. How do we undo that?" Vaughan said.
'so insulting'
Vicky Holt Takamine, president of the 'Ilio'ulaokalani Coalition, called the film's title an outrage.
"It's just so insulting to her," she said. "I don't know any Hawaiian who would agree to that (title)."
The producers of the film scrapped "Barbarian Princess" last year, in an effort to ease tensions.
Other working titles for the film were "Princess Ka'iulani" and "The Last Princess."
Tijoe said the producers returned to "Barbarian Princess" after long consideration.
"It was a way to bring to the fore what had happened in the past," he said. Tijoe acknowledged that the film title is "provocative," and he also said part of the reason "Barbarian Princess" was picked was because of fears the other working titles wouldn't have a commercial appeal outside of Hawai'i.
"Our intentions are honorable here. Certainly no offense is intended," he said.
Ric Galindez, another producer for the film and also co-owner of Island Film Group, said the film shouldn't be judged by its title.
"We hope that people from Hawai'i will see it and enjoy it," he said, adding that the film is intended "to tell the rest of the world" and "pique people's interest" in the story of Princess Ka'iulani.
Former Hawai'i resident Q'orianka Kilcher was cast as Ka'iulani for the film.
Kilcher portrayed Pocahontas in the 2005 film "The New World."
Princess Ka'iulani, who died at age 23, witnessed the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893.
The movie on her life was shot in part at 'Iolani Palace and cost about $8 million to produce. Shooting wrapped up in 2008, and the producers hope to secure a distribution deal by early next year.
Chuck Boller, executive director of the Hawaii International Film Festival, said he is getting lots of inquiries already from people interested in seeing the biopic. Tickets for the HIFF showing will go on sale Oct. 1 for HIFF members and sponsors, and Oct. 5 for the general public, Boller said.
He said he wouldn't be surprised if the 1,400-seat Hawai'i Theatre is sold out.
"It's been an important film and people really want to see it," Boller said.
The world premiere will coincide with Princess Ka'iulani's birthday.
Boller said he has seen the film and enjoyed it, calling it "realistic" and "accurate."
He added that the title of the movie will make sense to those who see it.
Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.
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It is shamefull that these Movie producers exploit OUR History!!!
I am also very concerned about the exploitation of OUR mo'o lelos. Disney has been interviewing a few Kanakas on Oahu who have been sharing OUR cultural stories and history, which we well know will be made into movies as they did "Pocahontas", Lilo and Stitch (the image that every child in America now thinks of Hawaii). WE NEED to protect OUR knowledge and resources for OUR PEOPLES sustainability. NOT DISNEY!!! The owner of Disney owns a home here on Kauai ( for over 20 years on Wailuanuiahoano's rim, I was told. I didnt even know this!), and He is not a very social or nice person. He never reached out to help the Natives in all the time he lived here! why now? A measely $100,000 donation to Maile school is an insult!! He has the means to have built Maile a whole new school campus!!! (look at the huge resort that he can afford!) PLEASE KANAKA'S , do NOT SELL OUT, our stories are for US! One day we will have trained Kanakas in the film industry and we will have OUR own Film festivals (Like the indians with their version of Bollywood and the French in Caanes)
These kind of people like to "profit" from others misfourtune, the mis fortune of the Kanakas! It is sad that in their quest for fortune they like to squeeze the blood out of those that they step on to get to the top!
I will look for the article on Disney and post here.
Mahalo Pono for posting this. Noelani
It sounds like Conan the Barbarian. Actually the Barbery Coast was plague with lawlessness and unsuitable type of ruffians and no-class people. Thus, we have Barbarians from the Barbery Coast off of the African continent. The land of the pirates, cut-throats, criminals and drunks. The worst collection of human beings.
To apply that to our beautiful Princess is unthinkable. She was a refined woman from two worlds.
The U.S., the fourth Reich, are the true barbarians with no-class. Hitler would be proud of them. Their manifest destiny doctrines are proof of that white supremacist attitude. Their ethnocentric behavior demonstrates how they think of other races in the world. They are not only arrogant, but sacrilegious and disrespectful. I also understand that they revised historical facts. I hope this film flops just based on their disregard for Hawai'i and our ali'i and people.
"LETS FRICKEN GET ONE THING STRAIGHT IT IS USA AND THE FEW THAT ARE IN CONTROL THAT ARE BARBARIANS.
SLAUGHTERING BABIES,CHILDREN,MOTHER and FATHERS ALL IN THE NAME OF THEIR FREEDOM TO RAPE RESOURCES DESTROY CULTURES , LANDS and GENOCIDE FOR GREED."
Replies
I am also very concerned about the exploitation of OUR mo'o lelos. Disney has been interviewing a few Kanakas on Oahu who have been sharing OUR cultural stories and history, which we well know will be made into movies as they did "Pocahontas", Lilo and Stitch (the image that every child in America now thinks of Hawaii). WE NEED to protect OUR knowledge and resources for OUR PEOPLES sustainability. NOT DISNEY!!! The owner of Disney owns a home here on Kauai ( for over 20 years on Wailuanuiahoano's rim, I was told. I didnt even know this!), and He is not a very social or nice person. He never reached out to help the Natives in all the time he lived here! why now? A measely $100,000 donation to Maile school is an insult!! He has the means to have built Maile a whole new school campus!!! (look at the huge resort that he can afford!) PLEASE KANAKA'S , do NOT SELL OUT, our stories are for US! One day we will have trained Kanakas in the film industry and we will have OUR own Film festivals (Like the indians with their version of Bollywood and the French in Caanes)
These kind of people like to "profit" from others misfourtune, the mis fortune of the Kanakas! It is sad that in their quest for fortune they like to squeeze the blood out of those that they step on to get to the top!
I will look for the article on Disney and post here.
Mahalo Pono for posting this. Noelani
To apply that to our beautiful Princess is unthinkable. She was a refined woman from two worlds.
The U.S., the fourth Reich, are the true barbarians with no-class. Hitler would be proud of them. Their manifest destiny doctrines are proof of that white supremacist attitude. Their ethnocentric behavior demonstrates how they think of other races in the world. They are not only arrogant, but sacrilegious and disrespectful. I also understand that they revised historical facts. I hope this film flops just based on their disregard for Hawai'i and our ali'i and people.
SLAUGHTERING BABIES,CHILDREN,MOTHER and FATHERS ALL IN THE NAME OF THEIR FREEDOM TO RAPE RESOURCES DESTROY CULTURES , LANDS and GENOCIDE FOR GREED."
Long Live The Hawaiian Kingdom, o Pomai