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Indie Lens Pop-Up to include six film screenings on Oahu

Jason Genegabus
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COURTESY MAGNOLIA PICTURES / ABC

William F. Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal are the main subjects in “Best of Enemies,” a documentary that looks at a series of political debates the two were a part of in 1968. The film will screen Oct. 26 in Kaimuki.

Documentary films provide viewers a glimpse into real world environments that aren’t always easily accessible. This fall, Hawai’i Women in Filmmaking and Independent Lens are making it easier for Oahu residents to broaden their horizons with a series of six film screenings as part of a new season of Indie Lens Pop-Up.

A partnership between Hawai’i Women in Filmmaking and the producers of “Independent Lens,” which airs locally on PBS Hawaii, allows for the free screenings to take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 3167 Waialae Ave. starting Oct. 26. The first film to be shown will be “Best of Enemies,” by Morgan Neville and Robert Gordon, which takes a closer look at the 1968 debates between leftist Gore Vidal and neoconservative William F. Buckley; according to organizers, the televised debates “shaped a new era of public discourse in the media.”

“Independent Lens is thrilled to partner with Hawai’i Women in Filmmaking,” Independent Television Service director of engagement and impact Duong-Chi Do said in a release announcing the series. “Our partners are at the heart of the program, and their impactful community work helps to serve our mission of bringing untold stories that have the power to engender positive social change to diverse and underserved audiences.”

This is the fourth season of film screenings in Honolulu. Here’s a complete list of films scheduled to be screened, with descriptions provided by event organizers:

>> Dec. 1: “Meet the Patels” by Geeta V. Patel and Ravi V. Patel

“Ravi Patel is almost 30, an actor, and, worst of all to his traditional Hindu parents, still unmarried. After he breaks up with his white girlfriend, Ravi submits to his parents’ wishes and allows them to play matchmaker. The true-life romantic comedy Meet the Patels explores the influences of culture and identity on the most intense, personal, and important part of one’s life — love.”

>> Feb. 1, 2017: “The Bad Kids” by Lou Pepe and Keith Fulton

“Located in an impoverished Mojave Desert community, Black Rock Continuation High School is an alternative for at-risk students with little hope of graduating from a traditional high school. It’s their last chance. This coming of age story shows extraordinary educators and talented students combat the crippling effects of poverty.”

>> March 1, 2017: “Newtown” by Kim A. Snyder

“Newtown uses deeply personal testimonies to tell the story of the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, the deadliest mass shooting of schoolchildren in American history. Through poignant interviews with parents, siblings, teachers, doctors, and first responders, Newtown documents a traumatized community still reeling from the senseless killing, fractured by grief but driven toward a sense of purpose.”

>> April 1, 2017: “National Bird” by Sonia Kennebeck

“National Bird follows whistleblowers who, despite possible consequences, are determined to break the silence around one of the most controversial issues of our time: the secret U.S. drone war. The film gives rare insight through the eyes of both survivors and veterans who suffer from PTSD while plagued by guilt over participating in the killing of faceless people in foreign countries.”

>> June 1, 2017: “Real Boy” by Shaleece Haas

“Real Boy is the coming-of-age story of Bennett, a trans teenager with dreams of musical stardom. During the first two years of his gender transition, as Bennett works to repair a strained relationship with his family, he is taken under the wing of his friend and musical hero, celebrated trans folk singer Joe Stevens.”


For more info, visit hawaiiwomeninfilmmaking.org or call 206-0848.


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