By Staff Reports
(HONOLULU) – The award-winning film KULEANA announced that it will begin its statewide theatrical release March 30th at Regal and Consolidated Theaters throughout Hawaii. Produced entirely in Hawaii, KULEANA has received the Audience Choice Award in the Santa Cruz Film Festival, the Maui Film Festival, and the San Antonio Film Festival, as well as “Best of Fest” in the Guam International Film Festival. KULEANA can also be seen beginning in April in mainland theaters via Gathr, a technology-based Theatrical On Demand® service.
In KULEANA, set in Hawaii in 1971, a disabled Vietnam vet rediscovers the Hawaiian warrior within to protect his family, defend their land, and clear his father’s name. Boasting high production values in picture, performances, and music, KULEANA has earned the faith of mainland theater giants Reading International (Consolidated) and Regal, who will also open the movie in Guam. The film received an MPAA PG-13 rating, and also holds a spot on popular movie review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.
KULEANA opens on Oahu in the Consolidated Theaters at Pearlridge, Kapolei, and also Kahala Mall, where a question and answer session with writer/director Brian Kohne and star Moronai Kanekoa will follow the March 30th 7:30 pm opening night screening, with another Q&A following the March 31st 7:30 pm screening with other members of the cast participating. The film also opens in the Regal Maui Mall in Kahului, and Wharf Cinema Center in Lahaina, and on Hawaii Island at Regal Keauhou Stadium in Kona, and Prince Kuhio in Hilo. Kukui Grove Cinema is a likelihood on Kauai, and Mainland residents can sign up to host/attend a screening in their city at www.hawaiicinema.com via Gathr.
KULEANA is the Hawaiian word for Spiritual Responsibility. The provocative new mystery/drama was written and directed by Brian Kohne, produced by Stefan Schaefer, and stars Moronai Kanekoa, Sonya Balmores (Marvel’s INHUMANS), Kristina Anapau (TRUE BLOOD), Augie T, Marlene Sai, Branscombe Richmond (CHICAGO MED), and Mel Cabang. Willie K provides an original score; the soundtrack boasts hit songs by Joni Mitchell, Procol Harum, and Tony Orlando and Dawn, with Hawaiian classics of the era by Genoa Keawe, Lena Machado, Sunday Manoa, Sons of Hawaii, Marlene Sai, and more.