August at Akiko's

Another good "meditative" movie. It's very thought provoking if you give it the time and consideration it needs to be unravelled. On the surface it's about a search for something, but he doesn't know exactly what yet. Below that, it's about as deep as you can go.

If you have ever practiced Zen or been to Hawaii this movie offers almost nothing. Unbelievably dull, the director/writer is afraid to have anything happen. Alex broods, Alex walks through the jungle, Alex smokes. Maybe there is enough for a 5 minute movie. This would be pathetic as a high school project. Although professionally made the movie lacks in almost every area that brings one to the cinema. There is one undeveloped idea and it isn't original, nor is it told in a unique way. If you are convinced by faux spirituality or want to tell your friends you saw this "cool" movie, this is for you. In its own way it is pretentious as it pretends to be about something. All style, very little heart. One scene I cared about. Sophomoric. A film with some similar themes - majestic, wondrous, beautiful, quiet, spare - Zen Diaries. This film is - I guess - a micro indie. I am perfectly OK with that, but I wish the filmmaker had something fresh or original to say. Tortured saxophonist who smokes and has tattoos goes to Hawaiian island and something "mystical" sort of happens. Too much half-baked ennui, too many caves. Not sufficient. The little girl was adorable. Perhaps the director can write an actual script with character arcs. This was not worth my time. Too little to say.

I recently saw August at Akiko's at the LA Asian Pacific Film Festival. The screening was packed and the movie went on to win the festival's "Best Cinematography" award.

I really enjoyed the film. The director, Christopher Makoto Yogi, has a unique voice and filmmaking style, one that is uncommon among mainstream cinema today. August at Akiko's follows a young musician named Alex who is searching for family, but more broadly interpersonal connection. His journey leaves him looking for answers and direction on the big island of Hawaii, allowing both the film and Alex to meditate on the gorgeous and tranquil scenery of the island that is shown in a refreshingly authentic way. Yogi mentioned in his Q and A that giving an authentic portrayal of real Hawaii, both in terms of the island's appearance and the people living there, is a goal of his, and it struck me as very refreshing to see something that didn't feel like a postcard of Waikiki or an episode of Hawaii Five-O. I don't want to say too much about the plot so as not to spoil anything, but I believe that August at Akiko's is one of those truly great film festival discoveries.

I'd highly recommend August at Akiko's to anyone, like me, who is looking for refreshingly different films, wants to see a new side of Hawaii on screen, or just simply likes well made movies. 10/10

The only good thing in this movie is that Alex, who plays a baritone sax, improves during the length of the movie. While the cinematography is visually delightful, the plot reveals nothing - no rising action, no climax, no falling action, no conclusion. The pace is plodding; the ending reminded me of the musical representation of a Noh or kabuki play.

Alex is a jazz sax performer. He searches for his ancestral home and befriends various people. This is meditative. It has a Zen tone with its fly-on-the-wall style filming. Filmmaker Christopher Makoto Yogi is doing everything himself. It's a micro indie. I like its style and tone. I just don't like the jazz music. It would be more soothing if the music is classical and more fitting to the movie's tone.