Finding ʻOhana
Finding ʻOhana is a 2021 American family adventure film[1] by Jude Weng in her directorial debut and written by Christina Strain. The film stars Kea Peahu, Alex Aiono, Lindsay Watson, Owen Vaccaro and Kelly Hu. It premiered on Netflix on January 29, 2021.[2]
Finding ʻOhana | |
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![]() Official release poster | |
Directed by | Jude Weng |
Written by | Christina Strain |
Produced by | Ian Bryce |
Starring |
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Cinematography | Cort Fey |
Edited by | Priscilla Nedd Friendly |
Music by | Joseph Trapanese |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
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Running time | 123 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Plot
New York–raised Hawaiian siblings Pili and Ioane "E" temporarily relocate from New York to Oahu with their mother Leilani to help her father, Kimo, whose health and financial issues are becoming serious. Pili is an avid geocaching fan, and her malaise at being separated from her beloved New York is assuaged by secretly liberating an old diary from her grandfather's art studio. Meanwhile, E is distracted from his own search for better Internet signal by the requisite pretty local girl, Hana, who has big dreams of her own. The siblings find themselves learning about their Hawaiian heritage as Pili goes on a Goonies-style quest for lost pirate treasure. Pili is aided on her quest by local boy Casper, a nerdy but resourceful boy with a big heart, and joined by E and Hana.
Cast
- Kea Peahu as Pili
- Alex Aiono as Ioane
- Lindsay Watson as Hana
- Owen Vaccaro as Casper
- Kelly Hu as Leilani
- Branscombe Richmond as Kimo
- Ke Huy Quan as George Phan
- Brad Kalilimoku as Kua Kawena
- Chris Parnell as Brown
- Marc Evan Jackson as Robinson
- Ricky Garcia as Monks
- Ryan Higa as Ryan
- Mapuana Makia as Nurse Tina
- X Mayo as Melody
- Kyndra Sanchez as Yoli Greenburg
Production
In September 2019, it was announced Netflix had picked up the rights to Jude Weng's feature film debut. Christina Strain would write. Ian Bryce of Ian Bryce Productions would produce the film with Irene Yeung and JJ Hook executive producing and Katie Malott associate producing. Kea Peahu and Alex Aiono would star as the two main siblings with Marc Evan Jackson, Lindsay Watson, Owen Vaccaro, Kelly Hu, Ke Huy Quan, Ricky Garcia, Ryan Higa, Mapuana Makia, Brad Kalilimoku, X Mayo, and Kyndra Sanchez in the ensemble cast.[3][4]
Finding ʻOhana was shot in Brooklyn, Hawaii, Thailand, and in the Dominican Republic.
Reception
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 85% based on 20 critic reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10.[5] According to Metacritic, which sampled seven critics and calculated a weighted average score of 69 out of 100, the film received "generally favorable reviews".[6]
References
- Green, Jennifer (January 26, 2020). "Finding ʻOhana - Movie Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- Hough, Alexandra (December 16, 2020). "An Exclusive First Look at Netflix's Brand-New Family Film, Finding ʻOhana". PureWow. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
- Kroll, Justin (September 30, 2019). "'Young Sheldon' Director's Feature Debut Finding ʻOhana Lands at Netflix (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
- "Netflix Announces Ensemble Cast for Finding ʻOhana". BroadwayWorld. October 1, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
- "Finding ʻOhana (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- "Finding ʻOhana Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved February 1, 2021.