Påkto: I Hinekka


The film I made with Kenneth Gofigan Kuper titled "Påkto: I Hinekka" is being shown tomorrow at the Fifth Guam International Film Festival at 7:30 at the Agana Shopping Center Theaters. Below is some information on the film itself and its cast.

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PÅKTO: I Hinekka - Film Synopsis

            “Påkto: I Hinekka” pins nerd ambassadors Ken and Miget in the most epic battle of their lives. While playing the popular fantasy card “Magic: The Gathering” they once again battle to the death, only this time things are different, this time things are in the Chamorro language. “Påkto: I Hinekka” is filled with nerd humor, drama and glory, but more than anything aims to show that it is possible to use the Chamorro language everyday, no matter what one is doing. 

The Chamorro language has existed for thousands of years and has recently become endangered as it is no longer being actively transmitted from one generation to the next. Part of this decline is due to the fact that new media through television, books, films and games that are brought to Guam are discussed and integrated into local identity in the English language. This has created a divide where things which are timely, cool or that which people follow or play religiously is connected to English, whereas Chamorro remains firmly tied to the past and not what people are actively identifying this today.

This film represents an attempt to take one such popular cultural text, the strategy card game, Magic: The Gathering and illustrate the possibilities for expanding the use of the Chamorro language beyond what we normally associate it with. We look forward to making more films such as this one, that help us understand that the vitality of the Chamorro language is directly related to how we use it and what we use it for. By using Chamorro to connect more and more to the things which are popular today we make our language more relevant and more likely to be spoken. Anggen ta la’la’ gi Fino’ Chamoru, ta na’la’la’ i Fino’ Chamoru. If we live through the Chamorro language, we give life to the Chamorro language.

Cast and Crew:

Co-Director: Michael Lujan Bevacqua, Kenneth Gofigan Kuper
Co-Writer: Kenneth Gofigan Kuper and Michael Lujan Bevacqua
Co-Producer: Michael Lujan Bevacqua, Kenneth Gofigan Kuper
Cast: Kenneth Gofigan Kuper and Michael Lujan Bevacqua
Cinematographer: Leonard Leon
Production Assistant: Elizabeth Kelley Bowman

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