Please excuse a departure from my regular blog topics for this post.
Last February, I was fortunate to attend a private screening of an upcoming film entitled, Barbarian Princess. The movie was so well done, I feel compelled to publish my praise for the cinematic achievement.
My general comments: this movie is a rare treat. This is a classic story of young love, complicated by class, race, geography and a revolution. The story is set in the late 1890's and follows Princess Kaiulani as she witnesses the beginnings of revolution in Hawaii, and follows her to England, where her father esconces her with a friend for safekeeping. Kaiulani is educated in England, falls in love with her father's friend's son, and is generally uninformed about the state of affairs back in the Kingdom of Hawaii. Her father finally returns for her and together they travel to the United States to lobby the government for assistance in restoring the monarchy after the revolution. Kaiulani eventually returns home to Hawaii where she actively works to provide suffrage to native Hawaiians after eventual annexation by the United States.
The movie is very well researched by screenwriter, director, and executive producer Marc Forby. Marc's wife, Leilani, was also an executive producer and got screen time as well. It is a rare treat to hear the Hawaiian language spoken and Marc Forby went to great lengths to ensure linguistic fidelity. The costumes are amazing and the use of Iolani Palace and Moanalua Gardens take viewers right back to the 1800's.
While some have criticized the name (and I believe that once you see the movie, you'll know why the name fits), this movie is a story that should be told. It isn't a documentary, nor is it held out as one. While we all may debate the merits or demerits of annexation, the overthrow or statehood, we should agree that Hawaii's rich history and culture provides a shining example for the world. And, what better place to start than this account of the young princess who tried to make her people's lives a little better.
It opens at the Hawaii International Film Festival in October and will certainly be one to watch.
Trailer:
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