Launched in early 2008, Friends of Film Friday at the Doris Duke Theatre hosts one-time-only screenings of foreign, independent and restored classic films.
ADMISSION: $15 for non-museum members; $12 for museum members; $8 for students with I.D.

HAWAII PREMIERE
LA DANSE: THE PARIS OPERA BALLET
February 19, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
Director: Frederick Wiseman
France, 2009, 159 mins.
See the trailer.
Purchase tickets online. 

Legendary documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, who spoke at the Doris Duke Theatre in 2008, returns with the critically acclaimed La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet. His camera roams the vast Palais Garnier, an opulent 19th-century building that the Paris Opera Ballet calls home. Going from light-filled rehearsal studios to the luxurious theater replete with 2,200 scarlet velvet seats and Marc Chagall ceiling, La Danse is a meditation on the impossibly beautiful young men and women who dance for the ballet.

Viewers watch ballet stars such as Nicolas Le Riche, Marie-Agnès Gillot, and Agnès Letestu as they rehearse the choreography of Mats Ek, Wayne McGregor, Rudolf Nureyev, and Pina Bausch. Balletomanes and plain old lovers of good film will eat up La Danse’s scrumptious meal of delectable moments, one more glorious than the next, made even more precious by their ephemeral nature.

The New York Times’ film critic A.O. Scott made the film a Critics’ Pick and calls it “one of the finest dance films ever made.” And he adds: “But there’s more to it than that. … The substance of Mr. Wiseman’s particular genius is the way it transfixes you with the inner workings of an institution you may not otherwise care about. The observation of groups of people functioning in a clearly defined professional or social context has been Mr. Wiseman’s primary interest ever since his first film, Titicut Follies, which exposed the workings of the Bridgewater State Hospital for the criminally insane in Massachusetts.”

The pre-screening reception: 6:30 p.m., includes a complimentary glass of wine. Food will be available for purchase from Da Spot.

Speakers: Denise Nakano and Gina Caruso will introduce the film and will lead a Q+A following the screening. Denise will give a short talk about the Paris Opera Ballet and Gina will briefly introduce Frederick Wiseman’s cinematic style.

Denise Nakano is the Associate Director of Development at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. A lifelong dancer, Denise teaches an adult ballet class at Queen Emma Ballet and travels to New York City every year to train with Broadway Dance Center instructor (and former Hawaii Ballet Theatre principal) Greg Zane and Kat Wildish of the Ailey Extension at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. She has worked as assistant choreographer, dance captain and/or stage manager on such Diamond Head Theatre productions as Flower Drum Song, Peter Pan, Meet Me in St. Louis, Cinderella, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

Gina Caruso is the Director of the Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Previously, she was Manager of Public Programs and Film Series at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was responsible for the film, concert, lecture, and children’s programs. She was also a film professor at Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Education, and an assistant editor and photography editor of The Washington Post Magazine.

COMING UP:

HAWAII PREMIERE
Mighty Uke
March 19, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
Director: Tony Coleman and Margaret Meagher
Canada, 2009, 79 mins.
Speakers: Filmmakers Tony Coleman and Margaret Meagher
See the trailer

Mighty Uke travels the world to discover why so many people of different nations, cultures, ages and musical tastes are turning to the 'ukulele to express themselves, connect with the past, and with each other. The film travels from the gritty streets of New York, to swinging London, Tokyo’s high rise canyons and, of course, Hawaii, where “ukers” tell the story of the people’s instrument: The Mighty Uke. 

The film has special resonance here in Hawaii, where the "jumping flea" was adapted and took off. Coleman and Meagher spent time here and captured Jake Shimabukuro, Taimane Gardner, Kimo Hussey (pictured above) and many others. (See the KGMB segment on Tony Coleman and Margaret Meagher when they were in town filming.) They also filmed the Duke of Uke, Bill Tapia, who is from Honolulu and now lives in California, and who turns 102 this year.

Originally brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants, the tiny instrument first captured the musical imaginations of the Hawaiian royal court in the 1880s. With the dawn of the radio broadcasting age, 'ukulele music owned the airwaves. Broadway produced 'ukulele musicals. Hollywood produced 'ukulele movie stars. The little instrument was so inexpensive and easy to play that by the early 1920s the uke was the most popular instrument in the American home and the first musical voice for millions of children. Over the next 30 years the uke was number one, and then, with the rise of rock 'n' roll guitar, faded into nerdy obscurity, until now. In the internet age, the 'ukulele is making a comeback. Clubs and ensembles are sprouting up around the world, and a new generation is pulling their grandparents’ ukes out of the closet. Ukes top the charts in Japan, Swedish punks thrash uke angst, California popsters serve it to ya 'ukulele style, classical composers carefully pluck out music box sonatas, and all of them meet together at 'ukulele festivals held from New York to London to Tokyo.

“A globetrotting travelogue of happy sounds”—Jim Slotek, The Toronto Sun
“Offers key musical discovers every three minutes”—Chronogram.com
“A sweet, fascinating documentary”—Macleans
“This film is a must-see for pretty much every kind of audience. It is entertaining, educational, touching, and I promise you it will leave you with a burning desire to get your own ukulele when you leave”—Kimberly Gehl, PDXPipeline

HAWAII PREMIERE
THE SECRET OF KELLS
Director: Tomm Moore
Ireland/France/Belgium, 2009, 75 mins.
English, recommended for ages 6 to adult
Friday, April 9, 2010, 7:30pm
The pre-screening reception: 6:30 p.m., includes a complimentary glass of wine. 
Food will be available for purchase from Da Spot. 
 
Don't miss this Oscar-nominated animated masterpiece from the producers of Triplets of Belleville. Magic, fantasy, and Celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes, in a sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times.

Young Brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. To help complete the magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears and venture into the enchanted forest where mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the faerie Aisling, a mysterious young wolf-girl, who helps him fulfill his dangerous quest.

"Absolutely luscious to behold!" - Variety

"Stunning! A cascade of light, color and wonder burst from the screen!" - The Irish Times

"Holds the spectator in a waking dream from beginning to end!" - Le Monde

Speaker:  TBD

ABOUT FRIENDS OF FILM FRIDAY:

MEET AND MINGLE:
Friends of Film Friday includes a pre-screening reception where you can connect and converse with the film community—fellow film buffs, actors, directors, and newcomers.

FOOD AND DRINK:
Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine and savory Mediterranean dishes from Da Spot for purchase. Make it dinner and a movie.

WORLD TRAVELERS:
See films from countries all over the globe. Learn about new cultures and experience the artistic excellence of international cinema.

THE SILVER SCREEN:
See restored classics so you can see cinematic history as it’s meant to be seen—on the big screen.

ENVISION THE FUTURE:
Friends of Film Friday will premiere the newest and most exciting contemporary cinema, including documentaries and independent features by new and emerging filmmakers as well as master works by established directors.

PARTICIPATE:
in lively post-screening discussions with filmmakers, actors, film critics, professors, and film experts.