My Hungarian grandparents immigrated to Honolulu, Hawaii around 1960 from Tokyo, Japan. [Long story, for another time.]
In the late 70s, early 80s, I grew up surrounded by the mixed cultures of Polynesia, Hawaii and several Asian countries. In school, I studied the ukulele and hula dance.
You can imagine my excitement when I first saw ‘Lilo and Stitch’ in 2002. It was nostalgic to revisit a snapshot of my childhood on the island. My sister was the same age as Lilo’s sister Nani, which was also ironic. And fortunately/unfortunately I never met an alien, but ended up with an eccentric and hilarious daughter identical to him! Does that count?
Last month, Disney invited us to visit their studio in Burbank, California.
During our magical interview with Aladdin’s creator and artist, Eric Goldberg [read about him on 10/9] – we were treated to an exclusive peek into the next Disney project!
[Photo courtesy of Disney]
Disney brings you MOANA, directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”), and produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”).
Moana is a big-screen adventure about a fearless and spirited teenager named Moana who, with the help from Maui (demi-god voiced by multi-talented Dwayne Johnson), sets out to prove herself a master wayfinder.
Casting the voice of Moana was a vital feature of this project, and native Hawaiian newcomer Auli’i Cravalho, 14 was discovered in the worldwide search for the film’s title character.
MOANA sails into theaters on November 23rd 2016!
[Photo courtesy of Disney]
14-Year-Old Native Hawaiian Newcomer Auli’i Cravalho
Hundreds of talented people from across the Pacific Islands were eager to try out for the role in the new Disney film, Moana. Cravalho initially set her sights firmly on her sophomore year of high school. “I didn’t think I would have a chance,” she said. “When I was little, I used to dance around the house singing at the top of my lungs. In my mind, that was performing and I loved the feeling of it. But I never imagined being in a Disney movie, being Moana—representing my culture in that way.”
Fortunately, the film’s Hawaiian casting director remembered an previous audition when Cravalho performed part of an a cappella group, which had been submitted for a talent showcase for a charity. She felt that the local teen would be perfect for the Disney role, tracked her and her mother down and invited Cravalho to audition. “Her audition was fantastic – she was such a raw talent,” said producer Osnat Shurer. “Auli’i was among a small number of girls we brought back for a second round of auditions. Then we flew her and her mom over to audition at our studios in Burbank.”
“Auli’i demonstrated a certain fearlessness in her auditions and call-backs,” said director John Musker. “She has a playful, mischievous wit. She can project vulnerability, she doesn’t seem intimidated at all by the challenges ahead, and her Polynesian background has helped shape her connection to family, hard work and music. These are all qualities she shares with Moana.”
“Moana is a vibrant, tenacious 16-year-old growing up on an island where voyaging is forbidden,” added director Ron Clements. “But Moana has been drawn to the ocean since she can remember and is desperate to find out what’s beyond the confines of her island.”
Recording has already started for young Cravalho.
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