In Emmy Award-winning veteran television producer and documentary filmmaker Rick Bacigalupi's latest film "Toward Living Pono," he explores the topics of sustainability and simple living.
Bacigalupi recently answered a few questions about the film for Examiner.com:
What inspired you to make "Toward Living Pono"?
I was looking for my next documentary subject and heard about Jason Scott Lee's efforts to live more simply and sustainably on his Big Island taro farm--after turning away from the glitz of Hollywood for a more connected, responsible lifestyle. That seemed like it would be interesting and relevant as a film topic.
What is the definition of "Living Pono?"
Making the film it became clear that "Pono" is a very important concept in hawaiian culture. It has many meanings and is used in different contexts. It's usually translated as "righteousness." So to put it very simply, living pono is living righteously, with a conscious decision to do the right thing in terms of self, others, and the environment.
Why did you choose to focus the film around those aspects?
At first the documentary was going to concentrate on Jason's story alone; but as production proceeded these larger, universal subjects--like the responsibility to be aware of our footprint on the planet, the importance of appreciating indigenous cultures, of listening to one's elders--kept cropping up. The real Hawai'i, unlike the images of Waikiki we constantly see in travel ads, is a microcosm for the rest of the world in that it is facing impending environmental collapse after centuries of resource mismanagement by outsiders. It was an opportunity to use the popular islands as a vehicle to get thinking about what impact we ourselves are making, wherever we may be.
How did Jason Scott Lee get involved?
I e-mailed him. He said..."sure!" It was that simple. He has been very gracious and generous with his time. It was a real lesson in "it doesn't hurt to ask."
What were some of the challenges you faced in getting this project completed?
In addition to the obstacles of time, money, and distance, a big challenge was getting over preconceived notions of what kind of place Hawai'i really is. There was a real cultural learning curve. For example, to learn about how the Kingdom of Hawai'i was overthrown by U.S. business interests in the late 1800's, its queen deposed under threat of military force, and that many today are calling for the reinstatement of native hawaiian sovereignty. Or that Hawai'i is the endangered species capitol of the world. You don't get that message in the airline advertising. On the other hand, accepting that the ideas of "aloha," family, community and responsibility seem to have heightened value in the real Hawai'i was a pleasant lesson to learn.
What do you want audiences to come away with after viewing the film?
I hope audiences will be inspired by the stories of Jason and the other hawaiians in the documentary who are all doing their best to "do the right thing" in terms of environment and community. Ultimately it's not only about the islands; there is plenty to do right at home. And if next time they visit Hawai'i they feel compelled to volunteer a day or contribute to a conservation nonprofit there, all the better!
Check out www.livingpono.com or "TowardLivingPono" on Facebook and YouTube for more information. And if you'd like to watch the documentary on public TV in your hometown, send an e-mail to the program director at your PBS station to tell them!
Rick Bacigalupi is an Emmy Award-winning TV veteran who has worked in broadcasting for over 20 years and is principal at his small production company, BACIPIX (www.bacipix.com). His films "A Lot in Common" and "Only in the Castro," were the premiere efforts of the A Lot in Common Documentary Unit and have both been distributed nationally. Four additional independent documentaries are currently in production.
Rick serves on the Board of Governors for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Northern California/Hawai’i Chapter. He is a member of NATAS, Bay Area Video Coalition, and the International Documentary Association.
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