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Tell us what you think >>
Selected submissions will be posted here, so check back regularly.
04/04/2008
I saw this when PBS aired it back in 2006, and I just can't get over how good this film is/was! I MUST have this movie! If anyone knows where I can get this, or contact the team - (I've tried e-mailing them; no resposne) I would LOVE a copy! This is a MUST have fantastic 5 star film; just absolutely fantastic!
Editors note:
Not all films are available for purchase, as video distribution is at the discretion of the producer and the costs for clearance rights are often too high for independent filmmakers’ budgets.
6/2/06
Raymond
Port Charlotte, FL
I thought this story was adorable. It truly depicted what it is like to go through adolescence. It shows off the insecurities and the way in which one builds character at this point in one's life. In many ways it showed me part of myself at that age; being an outsider and not wanting to be,and at the same time being very resolute in your own ideals and not wanting to conform. There is so much of this story that is truly universal yet, gives us a clear insight into the experiences and tough moments of being a kid in 1970's Hawaii. I wish more stories like this were told people around this age. I know that a story like this would have been far more relevant to me, well into High school, than the sappy soap opera's that pass themselves off as entertainement.
I'm sorry to hear about the death of one of this films producers,I 'm sure she probably had many more poignant stories to tell.
6/2/06
Sabrina
New Jersey
Loved it!!!!!! Definitely the BEST short film I have ever seen. I'd totally watch it again if I knew it was going to be re-aired (which it absolutely should be).
Please, please, please play it again!
There are enough movies and PLENTY of reality shows. For the most part, no one can relate to any of them: Reality T.V., uh-hem, emphasis on the T.V. Or you know the saying, "Only in the movies!"
FISHBOWL combines the essence of a documentary with real-life history and movie entertainment forming one sweet piece of art. The film rocks!
The story was so realistic and meaningful. It transcends borders. The cultural flavor is rich and the acting superb. Plus, hearing that Pidgin is like music to my ears. I find that way of speaking so unique.
Oh, please re-air it soon!
5/18/06
John Lewis
San Francisco
What.....badda you !
Having grown up in Hawaii in the 70s this film was a mix of reliving my youth and having a chance to smile at the cultral diversity that at the time was so......difficult,in that I am a Haole and fitting in was not always easy.
Speaking pidgin was THE most important way to blend in, while in school.
Captain and Tennille was a perfect example for that time,I was singing the song with Lovey,I did'nt even realize that I knew the words.
The girl cliques that were portrayed were excellent,down to the dresses,and da slippa's de stay wearing.
I told every one that I know that grew up in Hawaii to watch this film.
As I read the biography I was saddened to read that Ms. Hatta had passed,she was really able project the fun and difficulty of growing up in that era.:-(
Mahalo,No ack Eh...!
5/16/06
phoenix, az
I thoroughly enjoyed this short film. It is hard to believe that it was only about 30 minutes of film; seems as though it was a full length film (which is great!) I did not grow up in Hawai'i, but I used to live there & I came to appreciate the pidgin local talk. I learned that many local people who speak pidgin are really bilingual (or trilingual) & don not realize it. Some are ashamed of pidgin language. I do not think they should feel ashamed. I view it as another language, but still feel it is important tfor the keiki to practice standard English in their reading & writing. I hope that there will be more films just like Fishbowl in the near future. I cannot wait for the next one! i love seeing us (Pacific-Asian peoples) on film. I wouldnt change a thing about Fishbowl, I think it came out just right.
Please continue making stories & films like this! Mahalo & Aloha !
5/16/06
Lily
St. Louis, Missouri
I absolutely loved this story! I thought it was hillarious & very relatable, even if you did not grow up in Hawaii. Being a minority is rough in its own & it doesn't help that in every race in civilization has rank in some form. I really enjoyed Lovey telling off that girl in pidgin. This is one of the best independent films I have seen. Much love & respect to the late Kayo Hatta.
Alofa tele
5/15/06
Berkeley CA
At the end, Lovey got to say what I always wanted to say to the snooty girls but never could have, then. I grew up in Hawaii in the 70s and this story brought back so many memories both good and bad. It was definitely a wish fulfilled for those of us who never got sent to John Robert Powers!
5/15/06
NLB
NYC (formerly Honolulu)
A window to the past... I, too, had a disastrous perm, oversized glasses and a thick pidgin accent all throughout my formative childhood. Ostracized by my classmates, who often avoided me for fear catching "ukus," I lived in my own imagined reality where I reigned as the popular girl and the world bent to my every whim. Today, I work in an industry entrenched in image and can't seem to find satisfaction in any of my success. Until, viewing this movie, I never thought about how my early experiences fuel my anxieties to this day.... Although it wasn't perfectly made, the story touched my very core. Thanks.
5/12/06
Kenney -37 y/o
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Absolutely wonderful. Most of us have been in Lovey's shoes one way or another. She handled her situation with much patience, practice makes perfect and best of all, in your face grace.
The hard teacher, common in the 70's even here in Milwaukee, didn't come off to me as someone picking favorites. He had a crude way of teaching using demeaning manner and promise of failure if Lovey and the rest would not conform. His last stand proved at heart he was a good guy.
When standing her ground with the clique, Lovey definitely stood her ground from the beginning and even better at the end. With her attitude it was easy to believe she never had any desire to become a "ray." She showed hurt and disappointment for others that fall into such shallow ditches.
Being a kid product of the 70's myself, I'm very familiar with the trends of pop culture from that time. Captain and Tennille was a bit over the top, but it still worked well. After all, I live in Milwaukee, the capt & tony might have been much more popul
ar with kids 5000 miles away. When Lovey sang "Love will Keep Us Together" it tied the whole film together even though I didn't realize it until the end.
Very powerful, very moving, very genuine. More from Kayo, Linda and Eleanor please.
5/12/06
Olivia R.
I was truly touched by the complex relationship that the character Lovey had w/ Jerry, the girls, her teacher and even herself. I think evey child goes through the stage of feeling like they don't belong and I think the actors portrayed this beautifully. Excellent job!!!
5/12/06
Aaron Tui
Honolulu, Hi
When I seen this short movie it just brought back memories from back in the hanabadah days. I was filled with so much laughter and joy that My cheeks started to hurt. Although the things that were portrayed in the movie took place in a 70's setting, everything done in this movie was fairly accurate from my point of view.
Their were some pidgin words that weren't used, that should of been used, especially in a setting on the north shore side. Growing up as a Hawaiian and living in Homestead I know how it is. Most say that pidgin is a low class trade language.And that people are dumb when they don't speak proper english. But for once can you open your minds? idgin is a creol language. Because many different cultures were brought in to work in the plantations, and everyone spoke different languages. The plantation workers needed to communicate some how. So the Pidgin language isn't broken down english, Which now it is. It was actually a mixture of all the cultures languages here in Hawai'i, such as Japanese, chinese, portugese, Hawaiian, philipino, english, and many more. So in reality you would be multilingual. All in All, I hope they make a sequal.
5/12/06
Jeanne Miller
Watching Fishbowl was hilarious because I saw so much of myself in Lovey. It was hilarious because time allows me to laugh at the oversize glasses, hair that I had no idea what to do with, and general awkwardness of being Lovey's age in that same time period. I didn't grow up in Hawaii or speak Pidgin English, but the film was dead on in its portrayal of gawky adolescence. I cheered Lovey's triumph at the end; her bravery showed that she would overcome the adversity known as adolescence.
5/10/06
Christopher A. Hayth
Ronaoke, VA
I was waching tv and i happen to see a show on cald independentlens the move fishbowl, it was one of the best stores i have ever herd. It tells how it realy is even here it seems to be like that...
I am German American and some times i am out cast becose of my deap voic and it souds like im 30 (my friends tell me) that , the semaletys i have and as you see i cant spelle varry good ether i trie my best thou . "I just never thalt there was some-out there like me ...
Keep thous kool stores come'n...
=)
5/10/06
Victoria Vaughn
Emporia, Kansas
Yes, language diversity does have a place, but not in the classroom where Standard English is used in order for correct language to be learned. Pidgin was developed as a trade language, and still does have a place as long as it is used to conduct basic communication, nothing more. I am from Hawaii, and I remember attending English Standard schools in the 40's and 50's where Pidgin was prohibited. I point to that experience as a valuable one that taught me how to speak and write English correctly. The real problem with Pidgin comes when speakers aren't hired because that is all they can speak. Standard English is still the language of the marketplace, and Hawaii has enough problems with poverty; she doesn't need poor language to add to her troubles.
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