The Wind and the Reckoning reveals the real-life story of a Native Hawaiian ranching family that defies the newly established colonial government and faces down American mercenaries rather than have their freedoms callously ripped away. For the first time in a feature film, the Battle of Kalalau unfolds through the eyes of the islands’ indigenous people as they take a stand against oppression.
THE DIRECTOR
David L. Cunningham is an international filmmaker known for striking visuals, authentic performances, and dynamic subject matters. For more than two decades, Cunningham has directed pioneering independent features, as well as hard hitting documentaries. Cunningham is known for his social impact initiatives as the creator of several nation changing campaigns with focuses on indigenous rights, human trafficking and orphans with special needs. As a lifelong resident of Hawai’i, with four generations on Hawai’i Island, David has helped pioneer indie filmmaking in Hawai’i through the public/private content accelerator program and through the four Hawai’i based indie features he has directed there.
Having shot in over 50 countries, Cunningham is also known for his international social impact initiatives that include a production with the First Lady of Papua New Guinea on women’s rights, a media campaign for the adoption of orphans with special needs in Uganda, a tiny house building initiative for thousands of homeless families from the streets of Tijuana and many other film initiatives. Cunningham is perhaps best known for the gritty WW2 drama “To End All Wars”, shot on the island of Kauai and starring Kiefer Sutherland, Mark Strong and Robert Carlyle. |
DIRECTOR STATEMENT
This film is such an important indigenous peoples’ story that needs to be shared, and few people are aware of. One that explores themes of racial injustice, and the unbreakable bonds of Ohana — what the Native Hawaiians call family.