Celebrities Join Hawaii Filmmaker on Na Nai’a: Legend of the Dolphins
By Katie McMillan
What do Kate Winslet, Gerard Butler, Megan Fox James Franco, Whoopi Goldberg, Daryl Hannah, Julian Lennon, Cheech Marin, and Isabella Rossellini have in common?
They all lend their voices in Hawaii filmmaker Jonathon Kay’s stunning feature film, Na Nai’a: Legend of the Dolphins, which is making its world premier at the opening night of The Maui Film Festival. The screening takes place on Wednesday, June 15th at 10 p.m. under the stars of the Celestial Cinema in Wailea.
Kay, who will be joined at the premier by cast member Megan Fox, is thrilled to launch his film on Maui since it was a dolphin encounter at La Perouse Bay that first sparked his quest to illuminate the power and elegance of one of the world’s most intelligent creatures.
“I was driving down a highway in Maui. I picked up a hitchhiker named Rafael and his three- year-old daughter. I asked what he did for a living, and he said he takes people out kayaking with wild dolphins. Upon his invitation, I joined them and went out to sea off the coast of Maui. There were hundreds of dolphins frolicking and playing in the sea and appeared to be trying to communicate with the humans that interacted with them. It was a fantastic experience. I felt their sonar permeate every part of my mind and body.
The spirits of the dolphins touched my soul. It was at this point that I was inspired to make the film,” states Kay.
Na Nai’a: Legend of the Dolphins not only takes the viewer on a journey into the world of the Hawaiian spinner dolphin; it also explores rare and remote dolphin communities of Brazil, Mozambique, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Bimini.
Megan Fox lends her voice to Na Nai'a: Legend of the Dolphins
“My goal with Na Nai’a: Legend of the Dolphins was to get to the heart of what the dolphins are trying to tell us. They have been a part of human culture for centuries and have been illustrated in ancient Aboriginal and Hawaiian culture. I wanted to see and understand what they are trying to communicate with humanity,” states Kay.
The film highlights some remarkable dolphin encounters, including one of a severely autistic child who spoke for the first time in years after swimming with a group of dolphins. It also explores their survival as a species and what may be a threat to their existence.
After the Hawaii launch, Kay is looking for investors to help him take the film worldwide. He is hosting an event on Maui for anyone interested in financially supporting this project. For more details, contact him at jk@dolphinmovie.com or 808-756- 5540.
To attend the world premier of Na Nai’a: Legend of the Dolphins, contact the Maui Film Festival Box Office at 808-579-9244. Tickets, which include all films screening that night, are $22. Kids 12 and under are free on Wednesday. For more information go to www.mauifilmfestival.com.
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