Kava Kultcha
Set in a futuristic world dominated by an enforcement agency intent on eliminating cultural diversity
- Filmmaker(s)
- Leah Kihara
- Category
- Short Film
- Subject Matter
- History, Culture, Culture Democracy & Rights
- Featured In
- 25 in 25
Set in a futuristic world dominated by an enforcement agency intent on eliminating cultural diversity, a peaceful Polynesian resistance group dares to practice their own traditions, including the drinking of kava.
LEAH KIHARA - Director
Filmmaker Leah Kihara was selected to receive support for her independent production I scream, floats and Sundays by the Short Film Initiative of Pacific Islanders in Communications. In 2002, the film won the Hawaiʻi Film and Video Maker Award at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival. Leah, who heads Punk Productions, has worked on several series for public television.
She has worked in film production throughout the Pacific Rim, in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Tahiti, Rapa Nui and the United States. Leah has a degree in film from the University of Southern California.
"Since Hawaiʻi's collision with the Western world, the representation of Hawaiians in popular culture has been a series of misleading or negative self-imagery. I have the opportunity to provide an alternative visualization to instill pride instead of shame for our brown skin and to bridge the gaps between other peoples. Because I have been fortunate to receive the education, tools and opportunities to make films, I feel the obligation and honor to not only share my unique perspective as a Hawaiian/Japanese/Chinese/Filipino/Portuguese/French filmmaker, but to also share my talents to give voice to those who want to be heard by lack the resources." ~ Leah Kihara
