The Wind & the Reckoning

The Wind & The Reckoning is the best movie made in Hawaii. It premiered on November 4 at the Bishop Museum as the opening Film of the 42nd Annual Hawaii International Film Festival where it received The Made In Hawaii Award For Feature Film. In The Boston Film Festival it took eight awards Including Best Film, Best Screenplay (John Fusco), Best Director (David L. Cunningham), Best Actress (Lindsay Anuhea Watson), Best Cinematography (Scott Lee Mason), Best Story/Best Editing (Kyle Gilbertson), and Best Ensemble Cast. Why it has not been reviewed by any major critics Is a total travesty and a mystery.

It Has a legendary story brought to life, in action, drama, and romance while exploring the plight of the native Hawaiians at the time of the overthrow in 1893 and the cruel roundup of those afflicted by leprosy by unscrupulous bounty hunters

This film tells the story of one of Hawaiis most legendary heroes, Koolau, (the powerful Jason Scott Lee) a late 19th century paniolo (cowboy) whose life on Kauai is upended by the requirement from the coup leaders that all persons with leprosy must be quarantined in Kalaupapa on the Island of Molokai. He decides to resist and plans to escape into the hills and lava tubes. That night, he and his son Kalei (in an extraordinary debut by Kahiau Perreira) are captured and when his employer, Eben Sinclair (the sympathetic Patrick Gilbert) intervenes, a struggle ensues and Koolau kills a deputy sheriff. He flees with his family into the mountains of Kauai and is pursued by the U. S. Army led by Capt. McCabe (the homicidal Henry Ian Cusick) as well as Marshall Hamilton (Jonathan Schaech).

As Koolau, Jason Scott Lee turns in the performance of his career. He is dignified, a loving husband and father, a well thought of employee and a fierce warrior. His calm demeanor is contrasted with his fierce defense of his family and freedom. It is an Oscar worthy performance.

Equally excellent is Lindsay Anuhea Watson as Piilani. Ms Watson, who is a native of Kula, Maui, has only done two films and has one in the can, but her on screen persona is magnetic and her wonder woman warrior is like the mother lion defending her cubs; you would not want to mess with her.

It is a great story, sumptuously told in beautiful cinematography by newcomer Scott Lee Mason, the drone shots are so well done and the action sequences make the audience feel the danger and violence. It has Oscar worthy performances across the board, Jason Scott Lee as magnificent, Koolau, Lindsay Anuhea Watson as the gorgeous, powerful Piilani and a supporting one for Henry Ian Cusick as the angry, drunkard Capt. McCabe. If this movie is not playing where you are, ask your local cinema to get it. It is A REAL SLEEPER. The best film made in Hawaii to date.

PS they do not allow apostrophes or okinas.

I love the history of this film, and the use of the native Hawaiian language, not so familiar to many, but as powerful as it is beautiful. The scenery is great and the overall look of the film is wonderful. The storyline is so appropriate for today after COVID gave world governments more power then we've experienced for many years. Power in the wrong hands is treachery and courage is always inspiring!

Living in Hawaii has given me a new appreciation of the struggle the Hawaiians faced as the rest of the world descended on this beautiful island paradise. It grieves me that they had to put up with belittling attitudes and judgemental aggression. Change in the name of progress is not always kind, gentle, gracious nor righteous.

Director David Cunningham delivers another masterpiece in his new film The Wind and the Reckoning. The film is beautiful shot in Hawaii. The cast delivers a heartfelt performance. I loved the balance of English and the Hawaiian language. I left the theater contemplating the importance of Ohana and how far I would go to protect my own family. The Wind and the Reckoning is a powerful, moving and beautiful film. History is so important for us to learn from and than we can apply the lessons learned to our life today. Let's learn from the past and begin to heal. This is a must see movie that will entertain, inform and inspire.

Wow...just wow! What an incredible film. And beautifully shot as well. Jason Scott Lee and Lindsay Watson gave such powerful performances and Henry Ian Cusick was outstanding. I saw the film in Honolulu at The Consolidated Ward Theater during its opening week. Some of the actors were there to answer when it finished. When the movie ended, there was a group in the audience that actually stood up and sang a sort of a chant back to the filmmakers, like they were thanking them for making this film. I was speechless. I have to say I am a bit embarrassed that I had no idea this had happened to the Hawaiians.

Such a powerful story told with so much love and respect for the Hawaiian culture. Beautifully cinematic. I was so moved by the family and their refusal to sacrifice their togetherness, even in the face of being hunted down like prey. A heart wrenching and eye-opening look at a period of history that I knew very little about, but that had reshaped the course of life for native Hawaiians: when lepers were rounded up and forcibly removed to leper colonies on the island of Moloka'i. I love that the characters spoke in Hawaiian-beautiful authenticity and an invitation for us to experience their culture and their heart. Would definitely recommend watching it-but with tissues!