BLUE FISH - a short film made in Hawaii
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- Nainoa, living on his own after pushing away his family, spends a day reconnecting with his grandpa.
This project was something that I have been wanting to do for quite some time. For several years, I have wanted to shoot a film that would get some of my relatives on screen-- Not because they are experienced actors by any means, but because they are just characters in real life. I reached out to Nainoa a few months back on a whim to see if he would be willing to carry the role of our main character. I wanted someone with various talents (music, art, fishing, etc.) and was honestly surprised that he was down for it. He came through and was instrumental in developing his character on screen. My grandpa's brother is someone who I spend time with and every time I do, I wish someone else was present to witness his nuances and character. Everyone knows someone like uncle Marvin and I hope we were able to encapsulate that on screen. His reaction to me approaching him with the role was an instant "ohh, YEAH! Eh Kapena! You gon send me Hollywood ah!?". I am extremely appreciative of them both as this film wouldn't exist without them. :)
-Kapena
Massive mahalo to everyone who made this project come to life! Thank you for watching, we hope you enjoy. Any feedback and thoughts in the comments are appreciated!
Written and Directed by
Kapena Liu
Kurt Hoffmann
Cast
Nainoa Kamai - Nainoa
Marvin Iseke - Grandpa
Leilani Fujinaga - Aunty Thelma
Fisherman Extras
Kalawaia Kamai
Wylan Cabuag
Issac Ramons
Cinematography by
Kurt Hoffmann
Edited by
Kapena Liu
Kurt Hoffmann
Ending Soundtrack
Dotager - Flowers in Silver
"Blue Fish" Graphic Title
Behind the Scenes
Heaven Zhiman
Solomon Laker
Special Thanks
Zion Valentine
Matthew Naki
Cyrus Apeles
Cody Horne
Shot on
BMPCC6K with 50mm
BMPCC4K with Sirui Anamorphic 35mm
The gf grandpa talks about is my grandma 😂 this is great! If you ever get a chance to talk to Grandpa Marvin, this is exactly how he is. Always talking story and singing!
Aunty Belen (sorry if i spelt it wrong) is the best and she makes bomb food. Love your grandma
♥
Love ❤❤❤
With the world screaming, the subtlety of this film is refreshing. Impressive production.
wow, that means a lot! thanks so much!
Wow mahalo for those words. Stoked someone out there enjoys it. Aloha!
mean! i love the simplicity of this film, but packs an emotional punch and surrounded by the culture of hawai'i - both the old and new. awesome work!!!
thanks so much! that means a lot to Kapena and I
This film makes me emotional I never had the chance to learn from my grandpa which is something people should take advantage of. I joined the Army in 2019 and only been home twice ! As a Samoan and Hawaiian I love both cultures ! But being from Hawaii is something I’m so proud of being from, the people, the land, everything. I’ll be back one day. Home is where the heart is ❤ great film my braddah 🤙
ahhhhh, thank you so much for the kind words! stoked you were able to find this film and that you were able to connect with it, and see a bit of home ❤️
Raw with heartfelt sincerity, Hawaiis best kept secret
ahhh thanks devan 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️
makes me yearn for more time with my grandparents. something about local grandparents is so endearing - funny, heartwarming, encouraging and kind of blunt all at the same time. the pidgin is so comforting to me lol
really really proud of you two. hope this is the first of many to come. capturing the subtleties of hawaii is something i want more of!
why thank u coney 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰
Love to see more short films related to Hawaii. This was beautiful.
thank you so much!
Glad you could enjoy it, mahalo for the nice words. Yes would love to see more local films
Wish it was longer.
Great film. 💯
thank you!!
You guys have the rare talent of a storyteller. A beautifully filmed piece that captures the essence of family in Hawaii
Can't wait for more!
thank you!!!
This grandpa is an absolute legend!!! Man I love our elders
Gotta appreciate em while they’re still here! Aloha!
Nainoa's face when grandpa asks about Dad... shows so much pain and vulnerability. Amazing job acting!
thank you!! nainoa did a great job, we took very little re-takes and he always nailed his performance right off the bat.
Im really glad that this showed my feed, its so raw & beautiful. There’s a place in my heart for native Hawaiians, I don’t think they get the respect they deserve. Such a wonderful island culture 🌸
awesome, so happy the film popped up for you! it was so exciting to watch kapena encapsulating some of the nuances of his culture and allowing the actors to just let it out naturally ❤️
Mahalo nui loa! I agree with Grandpa, “I don't know what they doing with the rail, ran by stupid people.” lol 😂 ❤
hahaha! thanks for checking it out!
Mahalo for watching! Haha yeah lose money
Don’t really know where to start. Extraordinary for the number of dimensions explored in one small film.
Sad and lovely and uplifting, at a moment when I was asking for reassurance.
…No, never mind, this is all that actually needs writing: “Thank you “.
this is so nice. thank you so much for the kind words, we're really happy this gave you the reassurance you needed! God bless
Mahalo for taking the time to write this. Such beautiful feedback and it means so much to kurt and i. Glad you enjoyed the film. God bless 🤙🏽
@@kurthoffilms I wrote with complete sincerity. Your images echo even now (well, if images can be said to echo).
Mahalo.
The sweetness and the growing pains of life.... sharp, subtle, emotional... Felt like a snippet of real life. Beautifully done.
ahhhh thank you so much!!
Impressive film. Glad I found it. Mahalo!
thank you so much! glad you found it too :)
Mahalo for watching and for leaving a nice comment! Aloha
This felt like a real conversation and moment i've had with my own grandparents.
thank you so much for those kind words! happy that this was able to connect with you and some of the moments you've shared with your grandparents :)
Mahalo fo record Granpa talk story and kanikapila. Memories of this gentle generation
I already said a lot on the IG post and don't want to be extra, but for the YT algorithm:
everything about this is so good!!!!!!!!!! The soundtrack, acting, cinematography, themes are all so pretty in such a simple and sincere way.
I hope you can get Joel Haver to watch this 😶
YOOOO thanks so much riley! pena and i are so stoked how this landed for you, we appreciate all your kind words and your thoughtful breakdown of the film. also thanks for slaying the algorithm with your comments 🫡❤️
Was grandpa's dialogue scripted? It sounds sooo natural. His gf runs the show lol. Really beautiful tone, light, characters, etc. Just genuine and full of heart. Shakas!
thanks for the kind words! we had a very loose 3-page script that served as more of a story framework that would prompt dialogue- only a few of grandpa’s lines were directed, the rest were just him talking story with nainoa while he thought we were still setting up the cameras 😂
Cherish kupuna. Hawai'i has so much respect for their kupuna. More so than on the mainland. Nursing homes galore in u s unlike very few on the islands.
The way the islands are going we are doomed for extinction. Deliberate government rubbish.
Our kupuna are indeed a blessing. Love sitting with them while i still have the chance
Wonderful film beautifully made. Well done!
thank you so much!
Mahalo for taking the time to write this. Means a lot to us. Aloha!
@kapenaliu no pressure, but more please.
Beautiful
thank you so much!
Super touched by this... glad it popped up in my feed... made me miss the random banter with both my grandpas... my dad really loved Hawaii & our ohana... he would've loved this film, thank you for making it... I lost him 3 years ago & just loved all our conversations... super relieved your ending was the answered phone call... much aloha & mahalo!
thank you thank you! means so much to us that you were touched by this the way you were.
sorry for your loss... all those conversations and shared memories will live on forever
@@kurthoffilms yes & God bless!
Wow this means so much to kurt and i. Mahalo for taking the time out to share. Glad it could resonate with you. So sorry to hear about dad. Aloha no. God bless!
@@kapenaliu I will share the film with those who need it...
Kurt!! This was wonderful. So natural and subtle, I love how we get to be in the moment with these people. And man, the cinematography was stunning!
Josh! thanks so much dude!! ❤️🙏🏻
Aloha 🌺 Beautiful, absolutely beautiful and a feeling of loneliness makes it feel.. better in a way. I love the grandpa ❤
mahalo for checking it out Jennifer! stoked you found it beautiful and that the loneliness clicked in a good way. Yes-- We must protect Uncle Marvin at all costs!
@@kurthoffilms I'm having trouble talking to my dad as well, so I related to the isolation. Safe travels! 🤙
Mahalo. That was excellent. I don’t feel like I just saw a film. I feel like I just got to spend time with kupuna. And that is a privilege and an honor.
That gave me chills.... the ending has me bawling.
Love the shots and story. Inspirational 🙌🏻
thank you so much!
Enjoyed this lovely film. Beautiful Grandpa. Touching family movie. ❤
Mahalo for watching and for your kind feedback! Glad you enjoyed it. Grandpa is the man
This film moved me. Reminds me of times I spent with my grandma. Just hanging out and talking story. Simple times together but precious moments that I cherish. Thank you for creating this. 🤙🏽
so grateful that this was able to bring back those memories with your grandma
Glad you enjoyed it and could relate to precious moments spent with your grandpa. Mahalo for watching!
I only could wish more of my tutu’s nowadays yeah priceless an rare once gone…..GONE
Yep once gone, gone. Gotta appreciate em while they’re still here. Mahalo for watching! Aloha no
Awww... sweet as apple pie. Great film.
Make some more. Good stuff.
Aloha nui
Dang apple pie! Thats pretty sweet! Haha mahalo for watching and leaving kind feedback, aloha no!
I love the grandpa signing to his plants. I gotta try it😂❤
it works!
Haha we could all learn a thing or two from grandpa! Mahalo for watching, aloha!
Maika’i loa!!!!❤❤
Mahalo ia oe!
♥ Hey Dad. Beautiful ending.
thank you❤️
Loved it!
cheee thanks pops!
Maika`i loa❣️ Beautifully subtle storytelling.
🙏❤️
Mahalo!
Gotta love films with grandpa times and fun memories.
I use to cut out from school jus to go to Grandma's house to listen to her stories. I miss her and will treasure every moments and memories I have of my tutu and tutu kane. Forever in my heart
that is so beautiful, those memories will live on forever ❤️
goodness gracious the end made me cry
really lovely !
thank you!!
Great job Kurt!
Amazing video dawg
thank you dude!!
Mahalo!
Captivating!!
Great film!
thank you! 🙏
Ho fuck you guys this was legit really beautiful to watch. Like fr normally using family members can be hit or miss, but this came from such a real place, everyone killed it.
JOOOOOOOOOOOOEEEEE thank you!!! filming uncle just talk story when he thought we were still setting up the cameras was so fun, we definitely wanna keep taking that approach. also you're the goat for texting me your feedback AND putting a comment up here hahaha.
@@kurthoffilms gotta make it all look good for the algorithm brah
Very nice video! ❤
thanks cole!! appreciate you always checking out the videos as soon as they drop ☺️
O Makalapua😔
incredible work. i feel the presence of my cuz i lost this march 😭😭
Impressive ✌🏼
Very nice 🏆 Anamorphic vertical ?
thanks! the scenes at grandpa’s house are shot on Sirui Anamorphic 35mm, horizontal
Dads need to step it up in this world and be more great leaders...they are failing there children in these last days.
Hawaii is for Hawaiians!
Yeeeeeessah baddah
😎🤙🏾
🤙🏼cool
Aloha au no keia wikio.
When will A24 hire you? This was great buddy.
if you know anyone over there put in a good word for us!! hahaha, thank you so much that means a lot
@@kurthoffilms if only! How does someone join your team?
Insanity
"PromoSM" 🌈
It must been fun for Marvin Iseke to try to act Hawaiian even though he is not kanaka Maoli.......
Strange enough the Judean movie makers are plagiarism experts
😂 my uncle marvin is kanaka through and through what kine troll comment is this
#7:45 it was peaceful until toxic masculinity entered the vibration. Hawaiians know better. So do better! Your culture has anchored in the most potent frequency of PEACE known to mankind that has EVER been recorded!
I’m sorry my braddah what
this is not toxic masculinity
@@radiantlifecoding5925grandpa mentions women chases him because of a shirt which indicates why he gave the shirt as a gift to the boy….so women can chase him…wearing this shirt……women do not always have to be center of attention in a man’s life.
@@kapenaliugrandpa mentions women chases him because of a shirt which indicates why he gave the shirt as a gift to the boy….so women can chase him…wearing this shirt……women do not always have to be center of attention in a man’s life.
Beautiful
Thank you!!