Kuleana Opening Weekend A Huge Success; Expanding To Regal Theaters On Oahu

The award-winning film KULEANA announced today that its opening weekend saw near sell out audiences statewide and will be held over in Hawaii and Guam and will add screens at Regal Cinemas on Oahu including Windward, Kapolei Commons and Pearl Highlands. KULEANA has proven itself a mainstream competitor to other Hollywood films in theaters now. Produced entirely in Hawaii, KULEANA has received the Audience Choice Award in the Santa Cruz Film Festival, the Maui Film Festival, and the San Antonio Film Festival, as well as "Best of Fest" in the Guam International Film Festival. Mainland residents can sign up to host/attend a screening in their city at www.hawaiicinema.com via Gathr, a technology-based Theatrical On Demand service.

"We are excited to expand Oahu presence into Regal Cinemas many luxurious locations," shared KULEANA writer/director Brian Kohne. "They have proven to be a reliable partner for the Hawaii Filmmaker through their incredible support of KULEANA with openings statewide and in Guam, as well as in their ongoing relationship with the Hawaii International Film Festival. Our island stories deserve to be showcased alongside that of our Hollywood friends, and the Regal Entertainment Group are truly the ones in Hawaii investing in our growth as motion picture writers, directors, actors and producers."

In KULEANA, set in Hawaii in 1971, a disabled Vietnam vet rediscovers the Hawaiian warrior within to protect his family, defend their land, and clear his father's name. Boasting high production values in picture, performances, and music, KULEANA has earned the faith of mainland theater giants Reading International (Consolidated) and Regal, who will also open the movie in Guam. The film received an MPAA PG-13 rating, and also holds a spot on popular movie review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

KULEANA is the Hawaiian word for Spiritual Responsibility. The provocative new mystery/drama was written and directed by Brian Kohne, produced by Stefan Schaefer, and stars Moronai Kanekoa, Sonya Balmores (Marvel's INHUMANS), Kristina Anapau (TRUE BLOOD), Augie T, Marlene Sai, Branscombe Richmond (CHICAGO MED), and Mel Cabang. Willie K provides an original score; the soundtrack boasts hit songs by Joni Mitchell, Procol Harum, and Tony Orlando and Dawn, with Hawaiian classics of the era by Genoa Keawe, Lena Machado, Sunday Manoa, Sons of Hawaii, Marlene Sai, and more.

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