A valiant island warrior, wounded in battle against foreign invaders, falls into a mysterious underwater world and is saved by an octopus who transforms into a handsome man.

Interview with Director Dean Hamer and Director Joe WIlson

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Because we believe that making a queer love story with a happy ending is a beautiful, and necessary, form of resistance.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Because it combines the beauty and traditions of the Pacific islands with the excitement of an adventure story.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

As a same-sex married couple and longtime filmmaking partners, this was an opportunity to story share the universal theme that love is love is love.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

We continuously simplified the story to make it accessible to the widest possible audience - including youth.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Very positive.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Encouraged us to work towards wide distribution.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

Visibility and exposure.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Journalists. Stories from Hawai'i rarely get the attention they deserve.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

Weʻd like a second run at an Oscar - and this time win!

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

What's the difference between Indigenous and Western concepts of same-sex love?

Interview: July 2023

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Aikane

A valiant island warrior, wounded in battle against foreign invaders, falls into a mysterious underwater world and is saved by an octopus who transforms into a handsome man.

Length: 13:56

Director: Daniel Sousa, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson

Producer: Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Judith Light

Writer: Dean Hamer

About the writer, director and producer:

Aikane is directed by a multi-talented, multi-cultural team whose work has been nominated for an Oscar, screened at Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, and Tribeca, seen on PBS, Netflix and international broadcasts, and widely used for queer and human rights advocacy.

HINALEIMOANA WONG-KALU is a Hawaiian cultural icon, community leader, and emerging filmmaker.

Exec Producer JUDITH LIGHT is a multi-Emmy and Tony-award-winning actress as well as trailblazing LGBTQ advocate.

Looking for: journalists. film festivals directors, distributors

Facebook: The Kumu Hina Project

Instagram: @aikanefilm

Hashtags used: #aikane

Website: www.qwaves.com/aikane

Other: IMDb

Made in association with: Qwaves and Kanaka Pakipika

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

Frameline, Palm Springs ShortsFest, Love WIns, La Gurimba...and more on website