About this project
Welcome
Together we are about to endeavor on the exciting journey of making a film in Hawai‘i, sharing the beauty and complexity of its unspoken memories to the rest of the world.
The ghosts of our past
In an effort to pay tribute to the Nisei and Sansei generations in Hawai‘i, this short film was inspired by the recent loss of my two grandfathers. I am a Japanese-American filmmaker born and raised in Hawai‘i and my family has lived in the islands for generations. With the passing of my grandfathers, an entire generation of my family was now gone—a generation that built Hawai‘i into the place that it is today. This film is dedicated to them.
A story of love and memory
OBAKE is a ghost story but not in the traditional sense. It follows an old Japanese man living out his last days in his countryside home. As he lies ill, time becomes malleable, the past and present converge and we experience his life as a young man in 1930s Hawaii. As young Japanese teen, he must say goodbye to a young love whom is moving back to Japan for schooling. He doesn't know this at the time but because of the outbreak of the war, he will never see this young woman again. Stylistically, the film will be a quiet and dream-like, weaving in and out of the past and present to capture the lyrical nature of time and memory.
How it will happen
Film is an extraordinary, yet very expensive medium. This is where we need your help. This short film will run around 10-15 minutes and will be shot on-location in Hawaii, using local cast and talent. Post-production will be completed in Los Angeles, where I now reside. In addition to paying for equipment and travel, your pledges will go toward costumes, set design, insurance, food for the crew, and the myriad of small expenses that go toward bringing a high-quality film to life. Thank you!
Thanks to Eunsoo Cho, Wendy J.N. Lee, Kate Dahan, Travis Tokuyama, Marie Iwasaki, Marisa Wong, and Mai Yamazaki for their help in making the awesome promo above. Music by Boris and Sunn 0))), The Sinking Belle (Blue Sheep) and The Sinking Belle (Black Sheep).
FAQ
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on April 5, 2011.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
A limited edition postcard, plus a "Thank You" credit on the film.
Pledge $30 or more Pledge $30 or more
All of the above, plus a personal pre-release digital download of the film.
Pledge $60 or more Pledge $60 or more
All of the above, plus a signed poster and signed DVD or pre-release digital copy of the film.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
All of the above, plus a box-set including OBAKE and LAYOVER, ON THE SHORE, Christopher Makoto Yogi's previous film shot in Hawai‘i.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
All of the above, plus tickets to the premiere screening and after party!
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
An "Associate Producer" credit, plus all the above, including tickets to the premiere screening and after party, and a signed poster and DVD box-set!
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
An "Executive Producer" credit, plus all of the above, and an invitation to visit and observe the film set as it is being shot on-location in Hawai‘i!
Project By
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Christopher Makoto Yogi is a filmmaker born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Yogi recently graduated with a MFA in Cinematic Arts from USC, where he wrote, directed and edited a number of films that have screened across the country.
