Hawaii International Film Festival – Paradise Broken
Editor’s note: Six films are entered in the Made in Hawaii section of the Hawaii International Film Festival. Civil Beat asked the filmmakers to answer a few questions. Read other interviews in this series.
Q&A With James Sereno, Director of ‘Paradise Broken’
What are you trying to share with the community with your film?
“Paradise Broken” is about a part of Waikiki rarely focused on in stories. Everyone knows the magic of Waikiki beach and the hotels and sunshine, but most don’t know that a block away lives everyday people from Hawaii who are struggling. These people are trying to make a living dealing with drugs and trying to stay off the streets. It’s a tough life, but an area I felt needed to be explored and exposed.
What issues are you trying to take on?
Mainly, the darker side of paradise. The film was written by Chris McKinney, whose work focuses on the other side of Hawaii, and we wanted a story that felt real and authentic and exposed Waikiki and the underbelly of the streets.
What’s its like to be a filmmaker in Hawaii?
It is a small community so everyone knows everything. We all need to get along, because you can’t burn any bridges, cause there are no bridges on an island. We form really tight and long lasting relationships. There’s a trust and family environment that forms on any project. It’s really the core of what we are all about.
Show Time: Friday, Oct. 14 | 9:30 PM |
About the filmmaker:
James Sereno was born and raised in Hawaii and graduated from the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television. James began his career working in development at the Disney Studios and Columbia Pictures. James then turned his attention to advertising and worked as a producer working with several clients including Lexus, Adidas and America West. James then moved back to Hawaii where he started his own production company, Kinetic Productions.
James’ recent short film work has won numerous awards including a British Academy Award nomination for best short film, as well as an invitation to screen at Roger Ebert’s Ebert Fest. James’ latest film, Broken Paradise, screen’s at this years HIFF festival. Paradise Broken stars Dante Basco and follows a young couple trying to make a life in Waikiki.
