Posted by Donna Burns on October 17, 2009 at 7:20am
Honolulu Advertiser reveals many (most?) found the movie seriously lacking and not Historically Honest.----------------------By Michael TsaiAdvertiser Staff WritersWhile "Barbarian Princess," the controversial new biopic on the life of Princess Kaiulani, received a generally warm reception at its world premiere at the Hawaii Theatre last night, many left the sold-out screening feeling that the film fell short of its promise and potential.A capacity crowd of 1,600 people attended the screening.Margie Ah Tou, 47, of Kapolei, said that while the film's depiction of the young princess was at times inspiring, she took issue with the way Hawaiian alii were generally portrayed as weak and ineffectual."It was insulting," Ah Tou said. "They made it look like Hawaiians couldn't do anything for themselves, like the alii couldn't take care of their own people."A group of women who dubbed themselves "The Barbarian Titas" stormed out of the screening immediately after it ended."This isn't right," shouted one woman, who declined to be interviewed.Kahu Manu Mook, 61, of Waimanalo, who served as an extra on the film, said he hopes the film will draw attention to the struggle for Native Hawaiian rights and help those who are unaware of Hawaii's tumultuous history to appreciate the continued plight of Native Hawaiians."There was a lot that they left out, but I'll give it a chance," he said. "Hopefully, it will show people how it was back then. Nobody took us seriously. No one respected our culture. I feel nothing has really changed since then, just more hotels and more people getting rich off of us."A number of Native Hawaiian leaders have raised objections to the movie, especially its title. Producers have insisted that it was meant to be an ironic title, based on what U.S. newspapers dubbed her as she went around the country.But critics say the reference to "barbarian" is insulting to Hawaiians.Susan Shire, 55, of Kailua said she felt the film could have done more to provide insight into Hawaiian history and culture."I kind of had a vision that this would be the picture that would show the rest of the world what Hawaii has been through," she said. "I was disappointed because it fell short of that."Still, there were no audible signs of displeasure during the screening itself, and some in the audience applauded loudly as the on-screen Kaiulani asserted herself in several scenes late in the film. There was also general applause as the credits rolled.Kara Honda, 27, of Kailua said the film "certainly took liberties" with the history of the overthrow and annexation. Still, she hopes the film will be seen by a wider audience."I hope it will be seen nationally so that people can see what the culture went through," she said.Earlier yesterday, a Hawaiian organization dedicated to upholding the honor of Princess Ka'iulani observed her 134th birthday as it has always done: paying tribute to her at her longtime home in Waikíkí and her final resting place at Mauna Ala, the Royal Mausoleum in Nu'uanu.The members of 'Ahahui Kaiulani chose to stay away from the premiere of "The Barbarian Princess."Other Native Hawaiians and supporters of Native Hawaiian interests joined them at both 'Ainahau, Ka'iulani's lifelong residence, to place lei on her statue, and Mauna Ala, where the princess and members of her family are buried.Roy Tjioe, a co-producer, said "The Barbarian Princess" was the original title given to script writer and director Marc Forby. It was later changed to "The Last Princess" and then "Princess Ka'iulani" before changing back to its original title.Q'orianka Kilcher, a half-Peruvian actress cast as Ka'iulani, told the KGMB9 morning show "Sunrise" yesterday she won't call the movie by its name out of respect for Hawaiians and wishes producers would change it.Tjioe acknowledged the script takes artistic license to speed up the tempo or add drama. For example, the film shows Kaiulani throwing a switch to illuminate Downtown Honolulu on the same evening that the Bayonet Constitution was signed by King David Kalakaua in 1888. The lighting event actually took place four months earlier.Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.
I wanted to hit the tec media before it came out so that we would not be chasing. So thanks again Kalani.
Donna,
My concern is the corporate media and their purpose in funding this film and for what purpose. I am concern because if one takes the Spanish culture and their historical genocidal tendencies throughout history, wouldn't this movie hit the bullseye. Spanish, Middle Eastern, and Peruvian all speaks to a Hollywood court. Don't forget the court jestor in the mixture of things.
Liliu did have a conversation with an authority of Spain (need citation) about the United States justification for annexation was that Spain like Cuba was under Spain rule and the absurdity of the claim.
We simply need to get beyond the mixture of recanting the Spanish American war, Manifest Destiny, and the Atlantic trade as to what form of mechanism one can use, I simply don't have the answer.
Not understanding how the Spanish language despora through out the world as first languages in different countries such as Spain, Mexico, Cuba, South America, Carribean and much more. It's barbaric labeling and connotation one size fit's all slaves and conquerors are either a duality or dilemma outlook. This could be the end of the line or tunnel which is what the producer's are hoping for another money making pop corn movie that psych's out the audience. In hopes, I might add that the audience not only neglect to analize but to ignore the need to publish their opinions. In this case clear comprehesive interpretation of their culture values and practices are most needed at this juncture.
Today I went to see my dad again, and I sat there asking him about things that only he would know and that the Haole Bishop Museum would not have asked. What happened to uncle Pua a well known musician during his time? We discussed just everyday things about his memories of him.
This was the ugly process with Bishop Museum an extention of Mc Callister and Handy. Frist they asked him objective questions if he was aware of this certain tree, knowing full well my dad knows every inch of Maunwili. A visit to the spot and no mention of the graves. While my dad stood under the tree that his father would place him under and told to stay there while he went over to pray to his ancestors iwi. My dad asked white man, "what did you do with the graves?". The reply was that they took it out. Later on they did an interview by casset taping and had an archival person translate. The tape is no good according to them becaue my dad spoke in broken English. Next visit, take pictures of my dad under the tree. Next visit had him sign for permission to print, well the book was already off the press when my dad signed.
Yesterday, I went to my uncle's house and he explained to me the Konohiki of Kam III and OHA's Konohiki interpretation and their entity policy. Good grief, backs up against the wall this is when I want to scream at the top of a pu'u.
As for your question, I hope that we learn to do our own comprehensive interpretation of our own history and that our protocol protects the voice of our people.
Margie Ah Tou, 47, of Kapolei, said that while the film's depiction of the young princess was at times inspiring, she took issue with the way Hawaiian alii were generally portrayed as weak and ineffectual.
"It was insulting," Ah Tou said. "They made it look like Hawaiians couldn't do anything for themselves, like the alii couldn't take care of their own people."
Aloha e Donna,
Thanks for posting this. Ironically I just blogged in my recent post about how these people basically think that Hawaiians (in general) are just stupid & incapable of making important decisions. I had written about that to some extent regarding "barbaric" and "primitive" recently too.
And people cannot be serious thinking that these type of movies will bring light on kanaka 'oiwi. Sure, it'll let people be aware that we had a princess, and that she died young, and that she was human. But anytime you have HOLLYWOOD involved with biographical portrayals, it'll always be from their perspective, never the perspective from the people whose culture/heritage is being portrayed. Especially for Hawaiians and indigenous people in general, it's already assumed based on history that they see us as uneducated and incapable of determining the best outcome for our kind, so they always cast a Haole as the protagonist. I said this before when someone was talking about writing some script based on some factual event that they heard through a kupuna as the subject also turned to this movie. And this was a number of months ago.
Comments
You have a very broad and deep perspective I don't hear much about. Right on. Mahalo for your additions.
Donna
I wanted to hit the tec media before it came out so that we would not be chasing. So thanks again Kalani.
Donna,
My concern is the corporate media and their purpose in funding this film and for what purpose. I am concern because if one takes the Spanish culture and their historical genocidal tendencies throughout history, wouldn't this movie hit the bullseye. Spanish, Middle Eastern, and Peruvian all speaks to a Hollywood court. Don't forget the court jestor in the mixture of things.
Liliu did have a conversation with an authority of Spain (need citation) about the United States justification for annexation was that Spain like Cuba was under Spain rule and the absurdity of the claim.
We simply need to get beyond the mixture of recanting the Spanish American war, Manifest Destiny, and the Atlantic trade as to what form of mechanism one can use, I simply don't have the answer.
Not understanding how the Spanish language despora through out the world as first languages in different countries such as Spain, Mexico, Cuba, South America, Carribean and much more. It's barbaric labeling and connotation one size fit's all slaves and conquerors are either a duality or dilemma outlook. This could be the end of the line or tunnel which is what the producer's are hoping for another money making pop corn movie that psych's out the audience. In hopes, I might add that the audience not only neglect to analize but to ignore the need to publish their opinions. In this case clear comprehesive interpretation of their culture values and practices are most needed at this juncture.
Today I went to see my dad again, and I sat there asking him about things that only he would know and that the Haole Bishop Museum would not have asked. What happened to uncle Pua a well known musician during his time? We discussed just everyday things about his memories of him.
This was the ugly process with Bishop Museum an extention of Mc Callister and Handy. Frist they asked him objective questions if he was aware of this certain tree, knowing full well my dad knows every inch of Maunwili. A visit to the spot and no mention of the graves. While my dad stood under the tree that his father would place him under and told to stay there while he went over to pray to his ancestors iwi. My dad asked white man, "what did you do with the graves?". The reply was that they took it out. Later on they did an interview by casset taping and had an archival person translate. The tape is no good according to them becaue my dad spoke in broken English. Next visit, take pictures of my dad under the tree. Next visit had him sign for permission to print, well the book was already off the press when my dad signed.
Yesterday, I went to my uncle's house and he explained to me the Konohiki of Kam III and OHA's Konohiki interpretation and their entity policy. Good grief, backs up against the wall this is when I want to scream at the top of a pu'u.
As for your question, I hope that we learn to do our own comprehensive interpretation of our own history and that our protocol protects the voice of our people.
Here is a site that I use when I'm in the academic doldrum. I hope this helps? Http://www.ranghau.co.nz/research-intro/
"It was insulting," Ah Tou said. "They made it look like Hawaiians couldn't do anything for themselves, like the alii couldn't take care of their own people."
Aloha e Donna,
Thanks for posting this. Ironically I just blogged in my recent post about how these people basically think that Hawaiians (in general) are just stupid & incapable of making important decisions. I had written about that to some extent regarding "barbaric" and "primitive" recently too.
And people cannot be serious thinking that these type of movies will bring light on kanaka 'oiwi. Sure, it'll let people be aware that we had a princess, and that she died young, and that she was human. But anytime you have HOLLYWOOD involved with biographical portrayals, it'll always be from their perspective, never the perspective from the people whose culture/heritage is being portrayed. Especially for Hawaiians and indigenous people in general, it's already assumed based on history that they see us as uneducated and incapable of determining the best outcome for our kind, so they always cast a Haole as the protagonist. I said this before when someone was talking about writing some script based on some factual event that they heard through a kupuna as the subject also turned to this movie. And this was a number of months ago.