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'Descendants' near wrap
Producers of the film, based on a local author's novel,
immersed themselves in Hawaii's culture
By Nina Wu
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, May 09, 2010
The filming of Fox Searchlight Pictures' "The Descendants"
is well under way, with the film crew wrapping up final
scenes on Oahu and Kauai.
"Everything's going terrific," said producer Jim Burke from
the set on Kauai. "Hawaii has been just spectacular in every
respect.
"The comedy-drama, starring George Clooney as Honolulu
attorney Matt King, has been filming in the isles since March
15 and is due to wrap up in another month or so.
Based on the debut novel by local author Kaui Hart Hemmings,
Clooney's character is a distant husband and father who must
reconnect with his two daughters, ages 10 and 18, after his
wife falls into a coma following a catamaran accident off
Waikiki.
Life becomes more complicated when he learns his wife was
having an affair with a real estate broker before the
tragedy. At the same time, King, the descendant of a Hawaiian
princess and haole businessman (and son of missionaries),
must also decide whether or not to sell off inherited land
belonging to the family trust.
Judy Greer co-stars as King's wife, while Shailene Woodley
and Amara Miller play his daughters. Others cast in the film
include Beau Bridges, Matthew Lillard, Robert Forster, Mary
Birdsong and Nick Krause.
The film is expected to be released some time in 2011.
BURKE, WHO IS producing the film along with director
Alexander Payne (of the Oscar-winning "Sideways"), says given
the opportunity, he would come back to Hawaii to make another
film "in a minute."
"The people who live here that work on our crew are all
top-notch," he said.
Besides the production crew, the film has hired hundreds of
extras on Oahu and Kauai. A few locals -- some of whom have
no acting experience -- also play small parts, oftentimes as
themselves.
It is Burke's first time making a film in the isles, and he
says the project has awakened his interest in the history of
Hawaii.
"Really, we're not just making a movie in Hawaii, but a movie
about Hawaii in Hawaii," he said. "In order to do that with
authenticity, we really have to know the locations that we're
shooting at and the people that live there."
The novel references numerous local sites -- from the Pali to
Maunawili, Enchanted Lake to the Queen's Medical Center,
Kapiolani Park, Kahala Avenue, Black Point and Diamond Head
to the Outrigger Canoe Club.
Several recognized businesses, including Buzz's, Foodland,
Longs, Indigo, Hilo Hattie and Hoku's at Kahala, are also
mentioned in the novel.
On Kauai, film locations included the St. Regis Princeville
Resort and areas in and around Hanalei.
BURKE SAYS that as with all films, there will be adaptations
from the novel, but that the goal was to stay as true to the
story, its characters and tone as possible.
"I felt like I saw the film in my head (while reading the
novel)," Burke said. "Now that we're making it, the
experience I had when reading the book is coming to life.
It's really neat because it doesn't always happen this way."
Clooney is the perfect fit for the role of King, he said.
Celebrity status notwithstanding, Burke said he's also "just
a great actor."
Hemmings, who gave a reading to the English Honor Society at
Hawaii Pacific University last week, said she actually
pictured Clooney as her protagonist, Matt King, while writing
the novel.
"I'm thrilled," she said. "Alexander Payne is also my
favorite director. It worked out to an almost ludicrous
degree."
Hemmings said she wanted Hawaii's history to become part of
the plot.
While she is not a consultant for the film (though she may
have a cameo), Hemmings said the producers did ask for her
opinion, as well as the opinions of her friends, and were
ready to immerse themselves in Hawaii.
She's open to their interpretation of her novel. A novel
sparks inspiration, she said, and the film is like an answer
to the book.
BURKE SAID the filming experience in Hawaii has been a rich
one, and that he now sees Honolulu in an entirely different
way -- not as a tourist, but from the perspective of people
who live here.
The story of "The Descendants" should appeal to a broad range
of people, he said, whether they know Hawaii or not.
"These are the kinds of movies that we love," Burke said.
"They're human stories that change in tones. They can be
funny at times, and heartbreaking a little later -- just like
your life. If you live in Hawaii, you can relate to it, and
if you don't, you will still see parts of your own life.
"We're all very excited about this picture, and I think when
it's all said and done, the people of Hawaii will be really
proud of it."
Ed. Note: I have to agree with the last statement. Having just
finished working for The Descendants as Production Assistant, I
have the same feeling. I got chills when reading the script and
the team putting together this film is one of the best I have worked with.
Thank you all!! JcF Editor
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http://www.starbulletin.com/features/20100509_descendants_near_wrap.html
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