FALLING

A NEW ANIMATED SHORT FROM THE team BEHIND KAPAEMAHU

Synopsis

An island warrior, wounded in battle against foreign invaders, falls into a mysterious underwater world. When the octopus who rescues him transforms into a handsome young man, they fall in love and an epic adventure begins.

Why This Film Now

Over the past few years, the world has felt, literally, like it is falling apart. A pandemic swirls, the planet warms, politics regresses, with no end to the turbulence and strife in sight. In this climate, as love like ours once again becomes love which dare not speak its name, we believe that telling a queer love story with a happy ending is an urgent and beautiful form of resistance.

That’s why we set Falling in an imaginary world, drawing from myths and legends, places and peoples across space and time, in which the charactersʻ mutual magnetism is not scorned but celebrated.  And as longtime residents of Hawai’I, who spend a lot of time in the ocean, we wanted the underwater scenes in the film to reflect the sense of freedom and renewal we feel when submerged, away from all the constraints of life above.

We hope this heroic gay romance reflects the world we’d all like to live in – a world where courage has no limit and love has no bounds. -Dean Hamer & Joe Wilson

The Art of Falling

Falling explores a vast, rich, and colorful world, and I knew I would have to step out of my comfort zone in order to fully embrace it.  The main challenge was to orchestrate a fully developed love story with individual character visually through pantomime and action.  Set in a mythical fictional world abound with sweeping vistas and underwater environments, our heroes navigate brutal ground combat, shark attacks, dizzying cliff climbs, and swash-buckling sea battles. The connection between the two main characters proved to be essential in grounding the story and providing a focus within such vast scenarios.

One of the most exciting aspects of the visual development was the world-building. We had to create a fictional culture that felt believable, and a range of environments for the characters to inhabit. I loved exploring the color and light in this world. From the luminous underwater settings, filled with colorful coral and sea life, the island’s brutal and sun-drenched cliffs, to the infernal and cavernous interiors of the invaders’ ship. I am so proud of what we have accomplished, and I can’t wait to share with audiences. - Daniel Sousa

A Tale of the Spirit

Falling is profoundly universal and hopeful, a testament to bravery and the power of following one’s heart. It is a tale of the spirit, transformational and mystical in nature that resonates with love, courage, compassion, and community.

I am honored to be a part of this transcendent film that brings an inspirational message that love is love is love when it is so profoundly needed. - Judith Light

Credits

Directed by Daniel Sousa, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson. Executive Producers Judith Light, Daniel Karslake, Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu. Design and animation Daniel Sousa. Music and sound design Dan Golden. Writer Dean Hamer. Sound mix Bill Jackson. Story consultant Will Csaklos. Falling is a production of Qwaves in association with Kanaka Pakipika.