WAILUKU, OCTOBER 2… “GET A JOB!,” the hilarious, high-spirited motion picture comedy starring Willie K and Eric Gilliom and filmed and produced entirely on Maui, will have its World Premiere at the Hawaii International Film Festival at the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 on Saturday, October 16, 7:15pm and again will be shown on Saturday, October 23 at 3:15pm. Tickets are on sale now for both screenings. (Check www.HIFF.org for information on ticket sales.)
“GET A JOB!,” the first of several planned collaborations between Malama Pono Productions and Cicala Filmworks, is written and directed by Maui native Brian Kohne and produced by Stefan Schaefer. The feature film also stars Oahu’s Carolyn Omine (who now writes for “The Simpons”), and comedian and radio personality Augie T. A who’s who of the top musical talent and personalities in Hawaii today rounds out the cast including Jake Shimabukuro, Henry Kapono Ka’aihue, Amy Hanaiali’i, Kealoha, Charles Ka’upu, Ernie Cruz Jr., Kathy Collins, and Alaka’i Paleka. It also boasts special appearances by Mick Fleetwood, Willie Nelson, Pat Simmons of the Doobie Brothers, Marty Dread, and many many more. The “GET A JOB” soundtrack includes music by the Barefoot Natives, Don Tiki, Amy Hanaiali’i, the Throwdowns, Willie K, Avi Ronen, Kealoha, and Kristen Grove.
“GET A JOB!” is a contemporary comedy set on Maui. William (Willie K) is a successful employment agent whose own career is jeopardized when, over the course of one week, he repeatedly fails to find work for a 40 something year-old, Merton (Eric Gilliom), a simpleton who surfs everyday in a spot where there are no waves. He needs to “GET A JOB!” William’s problems are compounded tenfold by his longtime bridal shop employee girlfriend, Laura (Carolyn Omine), who wants desperately to be married and chooses this particular week to achieve her goal at all costs. At week’s end, William finds himself jobless, homeless, car-less, girlfriend-less… but more resolved than ever to make the tough choices needed to find lasting joy, love and fulfillment.
“The time is right for Hawaii to unleash a project of this nature. We have the talent in front of the camera, the experience behind it, “says writer-director Brian Kohne,” and “GET A JOB!” showcases our unique sense of humor in such a way that, I believe, is indeed accessible to mainlanders and internationals alike. On the surface this homegrown film is a wild and outrageous ride, but beneath it beats the heart of our beautiful people and the daily struggle we face every day to live and work in the islands.
In its listing of the film on its website, the Hawaii International Film Festival remarks: “Kohne’s play on stereotypes is gut-breaking indeed, but there’s a grander scheme to the madness in “GET A JOB”; It’s the pursuit of the American dream.”
See more at www.getajobthemovie.com
VIEW THE TRAILER AT: www.youtube.com/profile?user=barefootnatives
TICKETS FOR THE PREMIERE: www.hiff.org/program/index.php/films/detail/get_a_job_2010
HAWAII INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OFFICIAL SITE: www.hiff.org