Behind the tropical paradise backdrop of the Hawaiian island of Kauai lies a complicated history of economic exploitation, the rise and fall of Hollywood fame and fortune, and an all too familiar struggle between cultural heritage and gentrification. Anthony Banua-Simon documents the dramatic transition in the island’s role from a sugar cane producer to a movie and tourism destination. Told through the stories and experiences of both local natives as well as wealthy outsider investors, CANE FIRE highlights the different cultural and economic forces that clash in their struggle to define Kauai’s future. - Yuxi Lai, Shorts Programmer
*Single-film ticket purchases begin June 4. Virtual film screenings are only available for Texas viewers.
DIRECTOR/EDITOR/CAMERA/WRITER: Anthony Banua-Simon
PRODUCER/WRITER: Michael Vass
LENGTH: 90 min
LANGUAGES: English
COUNTRY: U.S.
GENRE: Historical Documentary
ACCOLADES / FESTIVALS
2020 Indie Memphis Film Festival | Best Feature Documentary
2021 MoMA Doc Fortnight
2020 Hot Docs International Film Festival
2021 Prismatic Ground (Maysles Documentary Center and Screen Slate)
2021 DOXA Documentary Film Festival
2020 Denver Film Festival
2020 Hawaiʻi International Film Festival
2020 Hainan Island International Film Festival
2021 DisOrient Asian American Film Festival of Oregon | Centerpiece
2021 San Diego Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase