By G. Allen JohnsonKilcher is not your typical young actress. She took time off to get her education and pursue her passions--human rights and environmental activism. After five years, she chose another important historical figure, the title character in "Princess Kaiulani," as her second starring role.
"I feel like, as a celebrity, I have a responsibility to tell important stories," said Kilcher, calling from Arizona, where she is filming "Shouting Secrets," a movie with an American Indian theme. "Films are very influential, and I especially feel a responsibility to tell stories that have been pushed aside. Being able to shed light on issues that need to be brought to the world."And:"There's still the struggle of being an indigenous young actress," Kilcher said. "You're not given that many opportunities to play normal roles. Sadly, people don't have an imagination sometimes. It's hard to break through that barrier and show people ... you are an actress, and you can play different roles, not just indigenous roles."
Unlike many young self-absorbed actors, Kilcher talks openly about starting a family while still in her 20s, and not letting her foot off the pedal when it comes to her causes. She enlisted Malick's help in a "Princess Kaiulani" screening event earlier this week that raised money for Peruvian flood victims.Comment: My understanding is that the movie's official title is Barbarian Princess, not Princess Kaiulani.
TITLE ROLE: Good actress is still waiting for the right movie to come along.
By Mike Dunham Kilcher's unique and exotic face (startlingly similar to the historical Ka'iulani, despite her German-born Swiss, Alaskan and Peruvian roots) is something one could stare at all day long, particularly when animated by her nuanced and lively expressions.
The character's emotional shifts are bare yet credible. One gets the impression that here is a good actress waiting for the right role.
"Barbarian Princess" might have been that role, but it isn't. Previous reviews have called the script "clunky."
I found it slow. How slow? Well, about 30 minutes into the thing I took a shower and left the DVD running. I returned after drying off and found the plot was right where I'd left it.Comment: I wasn't impressed with the trailer, so I'm glad to hear the movie wasn't impressive either. It's good when a trailer accurately conveys a movie's essence.
Marc Forby has been working on this movie for years, but still he can't do better than "clunky"? Call me if you need a script doctor, people.
Of course, casting Kilcher as a Hawaiian and calling the movie Barbarian Princess are still unfortunate moves. I gather Kilcher's portrayal isn't a problem, but maybe a Hawaiian actress could've done even better.
By Katherine Nichols and Gary ChunA question from filmmaker Vilsoni Hereniko, a director and professor of the Center for Pacific Islands Studies at the University of Hawaii, about why the word "barbarian" was included in the title sparked ardent responses from Kilcher and writer/director Marc Forby.
"The title was meant to bring in, and then challenge audiences from, say, middle America who might be expecting something like sexy dances at a luau," said Forby. "We wanted to draw attention to how Hawaiians were treated in the 1800s; this has never been about exploiting the Hawaiian people. I never knew it would get so heated. I thought the irony would be obvious." He also apologized for the controversy and any offense the title has caused.
Producer Nigel Thomas hundreds of possible titles were considered.
"It's very hard to come up with a title that doesn't sound like a cruise line," he said.
But it's a topic that continues to rankle some native Hawaiian leaders.
"We take serious issue with the title of the upcoming film 'Barbarian Princess,'" Abigail Kawananakoa said in a statement. "It is a perpetuation of the wrongs and hurtful aspersions cast upon our people for well over 200 years." Yet she went on to note that after viewing the movie, she will "neither condemn nor celebrate it." Comment: Translation of "The title was meant to bring in ... audiences": "We're pandering to people who think Native Hawaiians are half-naked savages in grass skirts."
The irony of the title--that indigenous people aren't really barbarians--should be obvious to people after they see the movie. But that's only one of several points worth considering. It's not clear to me that Thomas and Forby have thought about any of them.
"Barbarian" may sell tickets, but...
Where's the evidence that the "Barbarian" title will draw more viewers? How much research did Thomas and Forby do on the subject, if any?
Did the research go deeper than asking a focus group which title they liked? Because in the real world, people judge movies by the buzz, trailers, reviews, and word of mouth--not the title.
I don't know what titles they rejected, but "Princess Kaiulani" would've been a perfectly good title. It would've hinted at the "exotic" subject matter without hitting people over the head with the stereotypical word "Barbarian."
Thomas and Forby give the impression that they wanted a sensational and controversial title to draw attention to their movie. That they cared more about filling seats than the feelings of Native Hawaiians. If they don't like the resulting criticism, too bad. They should've consulted with Hawaiians before choosing a stereotypical title.
I wouldn't wager too much on audiences' ability to understand irony. I suspect many people who saw Dances with Wolves or Into the West thought, "These Indians sure were colorful and complex people, for savages." After all, these movies showed Indians in the past, not the present. Because they didn't have modern technology, one could call them "primitive."
Barbarian Princess presumably ends with the US taking over the islands and ending the Hawaiian monarchy. There's probably a hint that the Hawaiians weren't sophisticated enough to stand up to the Americans. In other words, that the most "civilized" people triumphed again. Therefore, I bet some people will leave Barbarian Princess thinking, "Those Hawaiians sure were barbarians, all right."
Non-viewers won't get irony
The real issue is that Thomas and Forby are thinking only of the few million people who will see the movie and get the so-called. Good for them, but hundreds of millions of people won't see Americans acting less civilized and more savage than Hawiians in the movie. They'll see only the title on marquees, advertisements, and websites. The only message they'll get is "Hawaiian = barbarian."
Thomas and Forby are already having to explain what their title means. For the next umpteen years, fans and reviewers will have to explain that "Barbarian" is ironic. They'll have to explain it because billions of people who see only the title will assume that Hawaiians are indeed barbarians.
I addressed this issue before in Princess Kaiulani Trailer. What I said still stands:Just because the press of the day used the phrase "Barbarian Princess" doesn't make it a good title. The press also called Indians things like "Heathen Savages," "Dirty Redskins" and "Murderous Devils," but I wouldn't choose those as titles for a Native-themed movie.
Many people won't get the irony or even see the movie, so they'll think "Hawaiians = barbarians." I suggest something that combats stereotypes--like "500 Nations" or "We Shall Remain"--not something that reinforces them.For more on the subject, see Q'orianka's Hawaiian Epic and Kaiulani Controversy Continues.
Below: "The Honolulu Film Festival kicks off with the film 'The Barbarian Princess' already sold out." At the Iolani Palace, also the headquarters for Hawaii 5-0.
Travel Blog • Pam MandelSeeing her portrait reminded me of this article about the Ka’iulani movie that’s coming out, a lush costume drama that tells the story of the activist Princess’ short life. There was a bit of a flap about the movie because the working title for the picture is “Barbarian Princess.” Our guide at the museum told us that the press in her day, never having met Princess Ka’iulani, referred to her exactly that way—as the Barbarian Princess—but she won over “society” with her elegance and grace. Some Native Hawaiians were also angry that the role of the Princess went to the ethnically ambiguous Q’orianka Kilcher rather than to a Hawaiian actress; beyond that, they worried about the film crew’s impact on Iolani Palace, and were concerned that the story would trivialize a historic figure who fought for their independence.
Comment: Previous postings said Barbarian Princess was the working title before producer Marc Forby chose the title Princess Kaiulani. But IMDB.com lists it as Barbarian Princess (aka Princess Kaiulani). So Barbarian Princess may be the final title.
Just because the press of the day used the phrase "Barbarian Princess" doesn't make it a good title. The press also called Indians things like "Heathen Savages," "Dirty Redskins" and "Murderous Devils," but I wouldn't choose those as titles for a Native-themed movie.
Many people won't get the irony or even see the movie, so they'll think "Hawaiians = barbarians." I suggest something that combats stereotypes--like "500 Nations" or "We Shall Remain"--not something that reinforces them.
Trailer thoughts
As for the trailer, this movie looks like a Victorian-era costume drama set in England or America east of the Mississippi to me. It doesn't have much of the lush feel I associate with Hawaii.
Obviously it shouldn't show hula girls or blond surfers or tourists in leis. But where are all the Hawaiian and Asian peoples and cultures? Where are all the scenic landscapes?
Having read James Michener's Hawaii, watched Hawaii Five-0, and visited Hawaii twice, I'd say this movie should look and feel uniquely Hawaiian. I'm not getting that sense from the trailer.
Princess Kaiulani’s World Premier at Hawaii International Film Festival in OctoberPrincess Kaiulani is the official title of the film about Hawaii’s Princess Kaiulani which had become a lightning rod of controversy with its tentative titles of The Barbarian Princess and then The Last Princess. The title was finalized soon after the movie wrapped this summer. The poster can be seen at www.matadorpictures.com.
The $9-million film written and directed by Marc Forby appropriately will have its world premier at the Hawaii International Film Festival in October.
Here’s Matador Pictures synopsis of the story:
“1888, the Kingdom of Hawaii is divided by a bitter civil war. Princess Ka’iulani, the young heir to the throne, is suddenly forced to flee the home she adores and move to England where she finds an altogether different life--one where she is not considered royalty. As she grows up and adapts to her new life there, she falls in love with the rebellious but sweet-natured Clive. At the tender age of 17 she receives the devastating news that the Monarchy has been overthrown and her aunt, the Queen, arrested. The young Princess must choose between her true love and the responsibility that comes with her title. Learning what it truly means to be a nation’s Princess, Ka’iulani makes it her mission to restore her kingdom and travels to America to win the hearts and minds of the people.”Comment: Interesting to ponder the connection between the stereotypical title The Barbarian Princess and the choice of the non-Hawaiian Kilcher to play the title role. As you may recall, we discussed the casting issue with Marc Forby in Pocahontas the Hawaiian Princess.
