The Struggle Behind the Scenes
Lately, I’ve been sending so many emails. I've been reaching out, asking, requesting, hoping....I’ve come to a hard realization: a lot of what I wanted for this film just isn’t going to happen. It’s frustrating, but I guess that’s part of the process. Youu learn to make do with what you can get.
On the brighter side, I did manage to acquire the rights to Dr. Haunani-Kay Trask’s 1993 speech, which feels like a small victory. But other elements, like including the pledge of allegiance, simply didn’t come to fruition. Honestly, I don’t even feel comfortable performing it myself. Maybe that’s exactly why I decided to make this film in the first place.
The film isn’t just about the final product. It’s about navigating the compromises, confronting my own discomforts, and figuring out how to honor the vision I set out with even when the path isn’t straightforward. Some days feel messy and uncertain, but I’m realizing that’s just the nature of creating something that matters. I am in a place right now where I'm hating myself as a person and an artist, and I am honestly questioning my ability.
