The Hawaii International Film Festival opened the eyes for many, showing what it means to be proud of your culture and the importance of preserving what many generations of ancestors built.
Several of the films shown, including Myths and Maidens and Shaka, A Story of Aloha shared the diverse faces of Asia, Pacific, and Hawai’i cultures that have gone unrecognized and unappreciated. The festival shed light on the beauty of these cultures and shared a portion of their stories.
“We’ve been suppressed for such a long time. Now it’s your turn to speak out,” said Noe Richardson, who watched a screening of the Myths and Maidens film.
Richardson was part of a group of older Hawaii residents who said the films gave them a new perspective.
“This is about being proud of who you are. It can resonate to anybody,” said fellow audience member Cynthia Larson.
Attendees felt the strongest takeaways from HIFF are to connect communities through culture and preserve cultures for generations to come.
“It’s a place and time where the world needs to chill out a little bit,” said Steve Sue, producer of the film Shaka, A Story of Aloha. “Share some love.”
