10 February, 2008
By Wendy Mitchell in Berlin
Marc Forby will direct. The shoot starts March 14 on location in Hawaii and in the UK.
The crew includes Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, production designer Steven Lawrence, DOP Gabriel Beristain and editor Robb Sullivan.
The Hawaii-set story, based on true events, is about an unlikely heroine defending the independence on her people.
Matador’s Nigel Thomas and Lauri Apelian will produce the UK-US co-production with Ric Galindez and Roy Tjioe.
Apelian said: “This is powerful, epic story about the strength of a young woman who is forced to choose between the love for her country and the love of a man. It’s steeped in American history, and filled passion and determination. It’s very exciting to be a part of this film which has attracted an award-winning cast and crew.”
ContentFilm International president Jamie Carmichael added: “There was really only one person who could play the Barbarian Princess and that is Q’orianka Kilcher. We’re very lucky to have her. This extraordinary true story of a beautiful Hawaiian princess single handedly taking on the establishment still resonates today and is both inspirational and deeply romantic.”
Director Forby said: “Hawaii’s demise as a nation is the great untold story of colonial America. The facts are mind-boggling. I’m honoured to give the Hawaiian people a voice and do so with a touching, romantic epic.”
