A Paradise Lost
Hybrid Feature Documentary: A Hawaiian songbird tells their story of how they sued humans to prevent their extinction.
A PARADISE LOST is the strange, curious tale of a cute yellow endangered finch who sued the State of Hawaii to prevent their imminent extinction, the first animal named a lead plaintiff in a lawsuit. The film is told from the perspective of the stuffed Palila bird that sat at the plaintiff’s desk during "Palila v. Hawaii" in 1979. A Hawaiian actor narrates over animation, archival and interviews to bring the bird's story to life, and reflecting upon efforts in 2017 of a Hawaiian conservationist to rescue dwindling wild populations by releasing captive-bred Palila. The film explore from a literal bird's eye view of how humanity's relationships with nature have evolved the past 40 years and 6 lawsuits taking place in the Extinction Capital of the World.
Supported by Firelight Media, Pacific Islanders in Communication, Sundance Institute, Women in Film, Doc Society and others.
World Premiere at Hawaii Internation Film Festival, nominated for Kau Ka Hōkū (International Feature). Screened at international festivals. Broadcast Nationally on PBS WORLD– Pacific Heartbeat, Academy-qualifying Theatrical release at DCTV's Firehouse Cinema (NY) and Laemmle Cinema (LA).
