2008 Sunset Cinema Series – Hula Girls (Japan)

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Hula Girls (Japan, 2006)
Running Time: 120 Minutes

When a Japanese mining company announces the closure of a coal mine in Iwaki, a group of brave young women defies their community by signing up to become hula dancers at the company’s new Hawaiian tourist center in this heartwarming dramedy. Amid union workers’ protests and against the wishes of their families, the women passionately practice and perform their newly learned art in hopes that it will lead to a brighter future.

This program is supported by the Ford Foundation
Workshop Instructor: Vinit Parmar
Workshop Coordinator: Antony Wong
Technical Assistance: William Tam, Lawrence Tse

Author Bio

Vinit Parmar is a documentary filmmaker who has fought for the underdog to tell stories all over the world, such as impoverished Indian villagers finding renewable solutions to save their island Quest for Energy (2012), or children of war seeking refuge in Berlin (We Stay Here, 2021), investigating why the holiest river in India is the most polluted, and (Mosaik, 2026) finding home with a pseudo-mother at their German shelter. He left a career as a lawyer in New York State to teach filmmaking, and currently an Associate Professor at Brooklyn College/CUNY. He recently finished his first film Down The Line (2024) made in America with Steve Kim, his best friend in high school.