10 February, 2008
Marc Forby will direct. Amongst the crew is composer and Academy Award ® winner Stephen Warbeck (Shakespeare in Love), Steven Lawrence who won the Award for Excellence in Production Design for Casino Royale and Titanic, along with D.O.P. Gabriel Beristain (The Night Watchman, The Green Mile), and editor Robb Sullivan (Erin Brokovich, Out of Sight).
Set against the dramatic island backdrop of Hawaii, and based on the inspiring true story, Barbarian Princess is a breathtaking romance about an unlikely heroine and her unwavering fight to defend the independence of her people. The film will start principal photography on 14 March 2008 and will be shot on location in Hawaii and the UK. The Film is a UK/US co-production and Matador’s Nigel Thomas (The Wind that Shakes the Barley) and Lauri Apelian will produce along with Ric Galindez and Roy Tjioe.
Matador’s 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 Intl’ President, Jamie
Carmichael said, “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.”