HUFF
Elisa Blatteis' "Gorilla Girl" explores a carnival
sideshow act in which a beautiful woman turns
into a man-eating beast.

---

Indies get their due
through HUFF

Star-Bulletin

---

After HIFF comes HUFF. The Honolulu Underground Film Festival provides an alternative to the Hawaii International Film Festival with more than 100 films created by independent -- both financially and creatively -- directors around the world.

The festival runs Saturday through Nov. 22 at a variety of locations around Honolulu, including Shipley's Ale House, the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Centaur Zone, Anna Bannanas and "HUFF Central" at 1159 South Pauahi St.

The festival began in 1995 when Hawaii filmmakers Marco Corrado and Christopher Kahunahana missed the deadline for entering the international festival and created their own. Returning this year from the first HUFF is Hawaii filmmaker Jon Moritsugu, who financed his first four features courtesy an insurance settlement from an industrial accident that crushed his right arm.

Moritsugu's current film is "Fame Whore," and also appearing at the festival are Danny Plotnick ("Steel Belted Romeos"), Gina Velour ("The Operation"), Juliet John ("Retro Sheila's") and Irene Walls ("Blood Sweat").

Other festival film titles include "Andre the Giant Has a Posse," "Bowl of Oatmeal," "Cup-O-Abominations," "Go Go Rama Mama," "Heavy Metal Parking Lot," "The Lizard Whomper," "Joanna Died and Went to Hell," "Tropical Punch," "Virgin Beats of Sydney" and "William Shatner Lent Me His Hairpiece."

Typically, films are not scheduled for specific showings. What you see is what you get.

A parallel event is "Impermanence," an exhibition by more than 30 artists at galleries such as Sisu, Roy Venter's Studio, Pegge Hopper Gallery, Abacus Studio, Boom Gallery and Huff Central. Many events also feature live bands such as The Boss Cats, Hi.State and Funk Ass All Stars.

Admissions vary. If you attend everything, the total will be $75, but a "HUFF Junky" pass for $30 gains the bearer admission to everything except a dinner at Shipley's on Nov 16. Information: 922-4833.

The HUFF schedule:

9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday: Huff Central -- Grand Opening Celebration, music from Rockers Rights and unveiling of "Impermanence."

6 to 9 p.m. Sunday: Shipley's Ale House -- VIP dinner and movies. A John Moritsugu "Retrospective" and films from the 1995 HUFF festival will be shown at Huff Central during the day.

5:30 to 7 p.m. and 7:30 to 9 p.m. Monday: Honolulu Academy of Arts -- feature films.

10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday: The Centaur Zone -- late night theater.

10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday: The House of Flys -- The year's best in surf, skate, snow, death and destruction films, plus music from The Hoomanakas.

9 p.m. to midnight Tuesday: Trixx -- Films from "the deep inner sanctums of the human consciousness."

9 p.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday: 1739 Kalakaua -- Films plus music from Funk Ass All Stars. Films from the 1996 HUFF festival will be shown at Huff Central during the day.

9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday: Anna Bannanas -- Films plus music from The Boss Cats and Go Johnny Go.

9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Nov. 21: Huff Central -- Films plus music from Sticklers, Pettiford and Grapefruit.

Noon to 2 a.m. Nov. 22: Huff Central -- A Super-8 workshop with Danny Plotnick, all-day "Movie Marathon" and "Festival Blow-Out Party" with music from Hi.State.