Page 12 - MidWeek - Nov 9, 2022

12 MIDWEEK NOVEMBER 9, 2022
L et’s travel back through time — more specifi- cally to 1893. Not only has the Hawaiian Kingdom been overthrown by a Western power, but a leprosy outbreak spreads rapidly and stirs up
that are still relevant, includ- ing the importance of family and how it serves as “the foun- dation and bedrock of society.”
that made this film, but we’ re unified in the mission to honor the culture that hosts us all.”
When the production team submitted the film to main- stream Hollywood distribution companies, it was turned down because companies felt there wasn’t a big enough audience for a movie in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.
commotion within the islands. This is the setting for the film The Wind & The Reckon- ing, which is based on historical events and depicts the Battle of Kalalau on Kauaʻi. Those sus- pected of being afflicted with the disease are singled out and banished to Kalaupapa, a re- mote colony on Molokaʻi. But a local paniolo named Ko‘olau and his family refuse to be sep- arated, resulting in Ko‘olau tak- ing a courageous stand against
“This film has really got a holistic mission,” says Cun- ningham. “It’s to celebrate the culture, and the history and the language of Hawaiʻi so that there’s appreciation there for both residents and visitors alike.”
The film was primarily filmed on a ranch on the Big Island, with shots from Kaua‘i as well. Cunningham encour- ages everyone to see the movie to not only gain a glimpse into history, but to also support the local movie industry.
“I hope that being exposed to the language in the film will pique interest in people and we can revitalize our language,” Watson states. “Having a
the provisional government. While leprosy is not as prev- alent today, director and pro- ducer David Cunningham notes that the film features themes
“All of us poured so much into it and are very proud of the way it turned out,” Cun- ningham says of the The Wind & The Reckoning. “We are all made up of different ethnicities
The Wind & The Reckoning features a number of local actors, including Lindsay Marie Anuhea Watson (right), Kahiau Perreira and Jason Scott Lee.
The film, which took nearly a decade to make, prioritized casting actors of Native Hawai- ian descent. It features Jason Scott Lee as Koʻolau, Lindsay Marie Anuhea Watson as his wife, Piʻilani, and Kahiau Per- reira as their son, Kaleimanu.
(Above, left and bottom left) Scenes from The Wind & The Reckoning, which was filmed in Hawai‘i and is currently playing in theaters. PHOTOS COURTESY LYNMAR
ENTERTAINMENT
“Promote the creative com- munity in Hawaiʻi by seeing this film and showing Holly- wood — and the world — that we have the stories and we have the storytellers to make films that matter,” Cunningham says. “We hope to pioneer job creation and create an industry that is good paying and is ful- filling so that people don’t have to go to the mainland, but they can practice their craft and be at home with their families.”
film like this to show to future generations in Hawai‘i could cause a wave of increase in our language and that would be incredible. We are also just as proud to have a film that will preserve our language for years and years.”
can be viewed now through Nov. 10 at Ward Theatres with the possibility of additional show times. Learn more at windandreckoning.com.
The Wind & The Reckoning