Swell Cinema: Heart of the Sea

SYNOPSIS
Heart of the Sea is an hour-long documentary about Hawaiian legend Rell “Kapolioka'ehukai” Sunn who died in January 1998 of breast cancer at the age of 47. Known worldwide as a pioneer of women’s professional surfing, in the Islands Rell Sunn achieved the stature of an icon — not only for her physical power, grace and luminous beauty, but for her leadership in a community that loved her as much as she loved it. Named one of Hawai’i’s most influential women of the 20th century by ABC television, Sunn - whose Hawaiian name means Heart of the Sea- was eulogized in the New York Times for having “captured the heart of Hawai’i during a 14-year battle with cancer.”

The story is set primarily in Makaha, a beach town on the leeward coast of Oahu that is troubled by crime, drug abuse, high teen pregnancy and school drop-out rates -- but Rell thought of it as “paradise on earth”, surfing by the age of 4 and becoming a peerless spearfisher. Throughout her life, Rell led by doing. A woman who carved the way for women’s professional surfing, in a sport dominated by men, Rell also lead her community as an organizer and activist for at-risk youth and for the preservation of the natural beauty and cultural traditions of her native Hawai’i. At the age of 32 Rell was diagnosed with breast cancer. With no family history of the disease, Rell discovered that Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women have the highest incidence of breast cancer of all women in the United States and detection and prevention programs were largely under funded. She became an activist for breast cancer awareness and for the protection of the environment from the toxins she believed caused her disease.

Heart of the Sea traces Rell’s personal and public life, interweaving her last interview in 1997 -- two months before her death -- with archival footage and news, home videos, and interviews with her daughter, friends, fellow surfers, her doctors, and others in the community whose lives were changed by the way Rell chose to live hers. Rell, the storyteller, is never far from the dramatic center, as she recounts adventures and adversity with the openness and warmth that was her trademark.

The film’s lyrical style combines traditional Hawaiian music and ambient sounds of nature with captivating underwater scenes shot by award-winning cinematographer Don King. The mix of DVCAM, used for interviews and hospital settings, and 16-mm film, for the ocean and landscape footage, brings the audience closer to the depth and beauty of Rell’s world. The result is a view of the islands at once vibrant, authentic, inspiring, and alive.

Through Rell’s feats, her tales, grace, beauty, and her canny use of the media, she left behind a larger-than-life story that was perhaps her greatest gift to the community that loved her, a story that delves deep into the heart of Hawai’i.

Length : 56 min. 40 sec.
Format : 16mm, Black and White

CREDITS

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Janet Cole

PRODUCER
Charlotte Lagarde

DIRECTORS
Lisa Denker & Charlotte Lagarde

EDITOR
Vivien Hillgrove

PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Lisa Denker

UNDERWATER CINEMATOGRAPHY
Don King

SOUND RECORDISTS
Esther Figueroa & Charlotte Lagarde

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS
Julianne King

ADDITIONAL CREW
Laura Harisson & Jacob Vaughan

ASST. CAMERAMAN
Craig Davidson & Dave Homcy

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Ruthie Wells

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Kimberly Bortfeld & Nalani Mattox

ORIGINAL SCORE
Miriam Cutler

ADDITIONAL MUSIC
Led Kaapana

ORIGINAL COMPOSITION
Shawna Ngum

SOUND EDIT & MIXING
Lora Hirschberg

ON LINE EDITOR
Heather Weaver

ASSISTANT EDITORS
Margaret Andres & Lindsay Sablosky

ARCHIVAL RESEARCH
Lisa Denker & Charlotte Lagarde

ADDITIONAL ARCHIVAL RESEARCH
Patty Tauscher & Matt Warshaw

ASST. ARCHIVAL RESEARCH
Brena Smith

TITLE & WEBSITE DESIGN
Renaud Garnier

ADDITIONAL FOOTAGE
ABC Sports
Archive Films
Bishop Museum
Michael Bovee
Bud Browne
Betty Depolito, Banzai Productions
Bruce Carlson
Bob Condon, Tropic Image Films
Courtesy of E! Entertainment Television
Emme, Inc. Hawaii
Yuri Farrant
Hawaiian Moving Company
Pete Hodgson, H3O
Bruce Jenkins
Juniroa Productions, Inc.
KGMB
KHON
KITV
Opper Sports
Chris Rust
Starr Siegle Communications
The WPA Film Library
ARCHIVAL STILLS
Bernie Baker
Bishop Museum
Jeannie Chesser
Jeff Divine
Sonja Evensen
Tom Keck
KHON
Kimiri Kondo
Jim Russi
Rell Sunn
Jan Sunn-Carreira
Keoni Watson
LEGAL ADVISOR
Alison Austin
ACCOUNTING
Diane Mendez
TRANSCRIPTION
Phillip Guilbeau & Annie Hershey
FISCAL SPONSOR
Hawaii Community Television

POST PRODUCTION SOUND SERVICES
provided by SKYWALKER SOUND, a division of Lucas Digital Ltd. Marin County, California

MUSIC RECORDING
Live Oak Studio

ON LINE FACILITY
BAVC

SOUND SERVICES
Bison Bison SF

PUBLICITY STILLS
Aicha Roffe & Jeff Divine

FUNDING
James & Abigail Campbell Foundation
The Gerbode Foundation
Atherton Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. James W. Growney
Pohaku Fund
Pacific Pioneer Fund
Watergirl Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Jacques Lagarde
Suzanne Avina
Castle & Cooke
First Hawaiian Bank
Cynthia Foster
Hugh Foster
Kapiolani Health Foundation
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Teresa Tico
Hawaii Medical Service Association
Women’s Fund of Hawai’I
Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation
Jane McKenzie
…and additional Funders. A complete list is available from ITVS.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR INTERVIEWEES
Becky Benson
Keith Block,MD
Jeannie Chesser
Jeff Divine
Sonja Evensen
Luana Froiseth
Fred Hemmings
Brooke Holt-Froiseth
Malia Jones
Vi Jones
Dalani Kauihou
Brian Keaulana
Momie Keaulana
Jennifer Lee
Marilyn Link
Ron Mizutani
Mark Renneker, MD
Jan Sunn-Carreira
Kathy Terada
Keoni Watson

RELL AS A GIRL
Naluehu Pu’u

DIVER
Desiree Desoto

SPECIAL THANKS
The Sunn family
APIAHF
Shay Bintliff,M.D.
Leah Bernstein
Bronwyn Bounous
Kevin Boyd
Lynne Boyer
Michael Bovee
The Breast Cancer Fund
David Brown
Bud Browne
Deborah Denker
The Denker Family
Vicky Durand
John English
Gayle Goodman & Michael Shuster
Marya Grambs
Michael Harris
Hawaii Community Foundation
Hawaii Community Television
Amy Heibel
David Hughes
Zeuf Janizeufski
Sharon Kaapana
Buffalo Keaulana
John Kelly
Glenn Kiser
Kimiro Kondo
Mike Lane
Susan Leahy
Lisa Leeman
John Mardesich
Michael May
Jon de Mello
Jan Montgomery
Annie Moriyasu
Eva Napoleon
Gordon Ng
Shawna Ngum
Donna Olson
The Pu'u family
Charles Rehm
Jeanne Rizzo
Kris Samuelson
Erich Stratmann
Emme Tomimbang
John "J.T." Torrijos
Fred Van Dyke
Betty Winstedt
Matt WarshawLOCATIONS
Block Medical Center
MD Anderson
UCSF Medical Center

"Aloha Ka Manini"
Performed by IZ
Courtesy of Mountain Apple Company

“Radio Hula”
Performed by Led Kaapana
Public Domain

"Ku'u Kika Kahiko"
Performed by Ozzie Kotani
From the album Kani Ki Ho'alu (Dancing Cat 38013)
Courtesy of Dancing Cat Productions

"Hano Hano Hawaii"
Performed by Sol Hoopii
Courtesy of Rounder Records

“Searching for Da Cat”
Performed by The Blue Hawaiians
Courtesy of The Blue Hawaiians

"Waltz of the Wind"
Performed by Led Kaapana
Written by Fred Rose
Courtesy of Milene Music c/o Acuff Rose

“For Your Needs Away From Home”
Performed by Double Naught Spy Car
Courtesy of 11-ft Pole Record Co.

“Rell’s Song”
Performed by Led Kaapana and Shawna Ngum
Written by Shawna Ngum

“Rell's Chant”
Performed by Shawna Ngum, Malia King, Makani Da Silva, Julie Mau, Del Medina, Marie-Therese Rigaud, Leigh Yafa
Written by Shawna Ngum

"The Beauty of Mauna Kea"
Performed by Keola Beamer & George Winston
From the album Kolonahe -- From the Gentle Wind (Dancing Cat 38047)
Courtesy of Dancing Cat Productions

"Hawaii 78"
Performed by IZ
Courtesy of Mountain Apple Company

“Aloha Hale O Ho'oponopono”
Performed by Sonny Chillingworth
Courtesy of Diana Aki and Dancing Cat Records
Produced in Association with Pacific Islanders in Communications, the Independent Television Services and KHET.

TEAM
Charlotte Lagarde, Producer, Director
Charlotte Lagarde’s documentary Swell (1996), about four generations of female surfers in Santa Cruz, California, won a Gold Apple from the National Educational Media Network, the Isabella Liddel Art Award at the Ann Arbor Film Festival, and Best Representation of Women at the Humboldt Film Festival. Zeuf (1994), a documentary about a woman surfer’s struggle with breast cancer, won the Directors’ Choice award at the Black Maria Film and Video Festival, the CINE Golden Eagle Award. Both documentaries were broadcast on PBS stations and the Sundance Channel and are currently in distribution on home video.
Lagarde’s productions Every Child Should Have a Chance (2001), Tribal Sovereignty: Unplugged (1998) and Juvenile Justice Unplugged (1997), are distributed in public schools throughout the United States, and the latter was screened at the White House for public policy makers responsible for the treatment of children in the justice system. Raised in Europe and the U.S., Lagarde holds an MA in Communication with an emphasis in documentary filmmaking from Stanford University, and a BA in Political Science.

Lisa Denker, Director, Cinematographer
Lisa Denker started working in film immediately after leaving the Art Center School of Design's film program. She has had a varied career in film, from Art Directing the Grammy Award winning rock video for Melissa Etheridge' "Ain't It Heavy", to the independent : "Gas, Food and Lodging" ( Dir. Alison Anders), and "Citizen Ruth" (Dir. Alexander Payne). Lisa went on to union work on big budget films such as "Batman Returns"( Dir. Tim Burton). A decade later, Lisa wanted to get back to hands on film making. Through a series of collaborations, she was lead to the creation of her latest film "Heart of the Sea, Kapolioka'ehukai". This one-hour portrait of Hawaiian legend Rell Kapolioka'ehukai Sunn, is Lisa's Directorial debut.

Janet Cole, Executive Producer
Veteran producer Janet Cole’s executive producing credits include the Oscar-nominated Promises, Regret to Inform, and the upcoming Freedom Machines. She received Academy Award and Emmy nominations as producer of Regret to Inform, as well as a George Foster Peabody Award. She also produced the Emmy-nominated Paragraph 175 for HBO and Channel Four and Absolutely Positive with director, Peter Adair. Cole has specialized in the strategic distribution and production of social issue films for over 20 years and is a frequent consultant and advisor to filmmakers, media arts groups, and foundations.

Vivien Hillgrove, Editor
Vivien Hillgrove is a highly acclaimed editor whose picture editing credits include Henry and June and The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Phil Kaufman, Academy Award documentary Broken Rainbow by Victoria Mudd and The Devil Never Sleeps by Lourdes Portillo. Her sound editing credits include Blue Velvet by David Lynch, and Amadeus by Milos Forman.

Don King, Underwater Cinematographer
Award-winning cinematographer Don King is known internationally for his groundbreaking surf and ocean photography. His unique style provides stunning visualizations for many of Rell’s stories, bringing the audience closer to her world. His credits include the IMAX films The Living Sea and Extreme and the feature films City of Angels and Cast Away.

MUSIC
The music is a mixture of pre-recorded songs by Hawai’i’s most renowned musicians such as Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Sonny Chillingworth, Sol Hooppi and Ozie Kotani and a chant and song especially written for Rell by Kumu Shawna Ke'alameleku'uleialoha Ngum. Hawai’i’s most beloved traditional musician, Led Ka’apana performs Rell’s song improvising on traditional Hawaiian music for the score. The recordings were mixed and re-arranged by composer Miriam Cutler who also wrote pieces with elements of Hawaiian music for the film.

Miriam Cutler, Composer
Miriam Cutler has been writing, producing, and performing music for over 20 years. Getting her start in bands including the popular Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo she developed her own recording studio and moved from live performance into composing full time. Pursuing her passion for documentaries, she has combined her love of music and film with meaningful and activist projects. These include the award winning Licensed to Kill, Double Life of Ernesto Gomez Gomez, Hidden Neighborhoods of San Francisco - The Castro, Death a Love Story, Shattered Lullabies, Slender Existence and Scouts Honor. Her scoring credits also include many features, short films, TV shows, and a circus.

Led Ka’apana, composer and musician
Led Kaapana is known as one of Hawai'i's most beloved traditional musicians. He has been a professional musician for forty years with over 25 CDs released. A master of ki ho'alu (slack key guitar), Led is also accomplished on 'ukulele, autoharp, bass, steel guitar and other plucked string instruments. He is a fine, emotional singer in both baritone and leo ki'eki'e (falsetto). Led's improvisational skills make him a favorite of singers, especially leo ki'eki'e singers such as Aunty Genoa Keawe, Uncle Joe Keawe, The Ho'opi'i Brothers, David Chun and others. He has teamed up with other slack key guitarists, especially Cyril Pahinui, and with steel guitarist Bob Brozman. Under the auspices of the National Council for Traditional Arts, Led has toured nationally three times with a host of top country, blues and jazz guitarists., including dobro wizard Jerry "Flux" Douglas. In the last year, Led has opened for Bob Dylan, at the request of Dylan's band, and for bluegrass sensation Alison Krauss, with whom he's recorded.

Kumu Shawna Ngum
Shawna Kealameleku'uleialoha Ngum is the founder and Kumu Hula (director) of Hula On Productions. She has danced and taught hula for over 29 years, and studied under the tutelage of Ellen Ku'uleialoha Castillo and Leina'ala Kalama Heine, who is considered one of Hawai'i's most talented entertainers as well as a highly respected resource of hula. Shawna has performed throughout the world in places such as Africa, Europe, Israel, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Japan, as well as being a premier dancer for the celebrated Brothers Cazimero for many years throughout . During her years as a dancer, Ms. Ngum won various soloist awards in prestigious competitions such the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival and the Las Vegas Hula Competition. To become a Kumu (teacher of Hawaiian dance, music, and chant) one must study for many years (often from childhood) and then be appointed to that position only by the grace of one’s own Kumu. Only the best students are selected. Shawna Ngum was appointed to that position by her Kumu in 1986. the ancient Hawai’ian tradition, there is a ritual called ‘Uniki which passes on the most ancient and sacred of meles (songs), chants, dance, and ritual. After completing the ‘Uniki, a Kumu has attained the highest level of master training available. Again, the Kumu must be invited to participate in this ritual. Kumu Shawna Ngum is currently making frequent trips to Hawai’i to complete this ritual with her hula brother Patrick Makuakane. When completed, they will be the only two Kumus in the Bay Area with thislevel of training. Shawna is well known in the community for her efforts in promoting the Hawai'ian language, history and cul-ture. She founded Na Pua O Ka La'akea in 1996 to spearhead her efforts in recapturing the traditional essence of Hawai'i through hula. She has been active in various community events, such as performances for the Mill Valley retailer Ikaika Exotics, The Pasha Group in Corte Madera, Hui Nalu Canoe Club in Larkspur, Marin Convalescent & Rehab Hospital in Tiburon, the Mill Valley Art Commission's Concerts in the Plaza, Aloha Festival in the Presidio, Lokahi Outrigger Canoe Club in Sonoma, and Rhonert Park's annual community event "Building Bridges." Shawna has also offered classes to children through the Tiburon/Belvedere Recreation Dept. and the Corte Madera Recreation Dept. In June of 1996, she wrote, directed and produced a 2 night show at The Playhouse Theater in San Anselmo, called "Pele and Hi'iaka...A Story of Love" which put the legend of Pele to dance. The performance was sold out both nights and was well received by a multicultural audience. She also wrote, directed and produced "Au’a ‘Ia: A Celebration of Hula" performed at The Marin Center Showcase, February 18 & 19, 2000 and "Hula is…Life" April 21, 2001 performed at Dominican University of Calif., Angelico Hall, both shows were sold out and well received.

SOUND EDIT & MIXING
Lora Hirschberg has an extensive list of credits as sound editor and re-recording mixer in feature, IMAX and documentary films. Her feature film credits include Panic Room, Quills, Pitch Black and Titanic. She has worked on IMAX projects, including Whales, To be an Astronaut and The Journey Inside. Her documentary film credits include Senorita Extraviada , First Person Plural, and The Celluloid Closet. She currently is on staff at Skywalker Sound in Northern California.

CAST/INTERVIEWEES
Keith Block,MD – Medical Director, Block Medical Center Comprehnsive Health Services in Evanston, IL.

Jeannie Chesser – Former professional surfer, friend of Rell’s since the seventies.

Jeff Divine – Photo Editor of Surfer’s Journal, has known Rell since the seventies.

Sonja Evensen – Former professional windsurfer and educator, has known Rell since the seventies.

Luana Froiseth – Outrigger coach and childhood friend of Rell's.
Fred Hemmings – Hawai’i State Senator, former world champion surfer, and former surf promoter, knew Rell in the sixties as she embarked on her professional career.

Brooke Holt-Froiseth – Organizer of the Menehune contest, lives in Makaha.

Malia Jones – As a child, she idolized Rell and was one of the kids on the trip to Biarritz, France. Former professional surfer, former Menehune, and professional model.

Vi Jones – Surfer, mother of Malia Jones, knew Rell since the seventies.

Dalani Kauihou – Surfer, teaches traditional crafts and culture and lives in Makaha.

Brian Keaulana – World known waterman, lifegaurd, lives in Makaha, knew Rell since he was a child.

Momie Keaulana – Rell’s auntie, lives in Makaha.

Jennifer Lee – Surfer, former Menehune.

Marilyn Link – Former neighbor and friend of Rell.

Ron Mizutani – Television Sports Newscaster for KHON, Hawai’i.

Mark Renneker, MD - Patient Advocacy Specialist in San Francisco, California

Jan Sunn-Carreira – Rell’s daughter

Kathy Terada – Surfer, nurse, hula dancer, lives in Makaha, friend of Rell's since the seventies

Keoni Watson – Former Menehune then professional surfer, grew up in Makaha under Rell’s wing.

FUNDING
Heart of the Sea is a production of Swell Cinema in association with Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC), KHET & the Independent Television Service (ITVS), with funds provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Additional funds were provided by:
The James and Abigail Campbell Foundation
The Gerbode Foundation
The Atherton Family Foundation
Mr. & Mrs.James W. Growney
The Pohaku Fund
Watergirl Inc.
Pacific Pioneer Fund
Kapiolani Foundation
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
The Women’s Fund of Hawai’I
The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation
And many generous individuals

We need your support!

Nov	DEC	Jan
	09
2001	2002	2003