"White on Rice" Opens in Hawaii Theaters

“White on Rice,” an award-winning comedy film directed by Brigham Young University student Dave Boyle, is on the verge of becoming a grassroots success story. It will open in Honolulu on October 30 at the Regal Dole Cannery 18, with other theaters to follow. The film is also an official selection of the 2009 Hawaii International Film Festival.

The Japanese and English language family film, which the San Francisco Chronicle’s Jeff Yang calls “a cinematic milestone,” has previously opened in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, San Jose, Salt Lake City and other markets courtesy of distributor Variance Films. The trailer can be viewed here.

Director Dave Boyle and star Hiroshi Watanabe (Letters from Iwo Jima) will attend the Hawaii premiere at the Hawaii International Film Festival on October 19. The film also stars James Kyson Lee (NBC’s “Heroes”), Lynn Chen (Saving Face) and Japanese Academy Award winner Nae. Boyle and Watanabe will be in Hawaii from October 18-23 for promotional events at local universities.

Film Synopsis:

Jimmy (Hiroshi Watanabe, LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA) loves dinosaurs and sleeps on the top bunk. Unfortunately, Jimmy is 40 and shares that bunk with Bob (Justin Kwong), his 10-year-old nephew. Freshly divorced, Jimmy lives with his sister Aiko (Japanese Academy Award winner Nae) and her family while boldly searching for a new wife. His brother in-law, Tak (Mio Takada, “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”) thinks he’s a disaster. And although Jimmy may lack social grace, he is convinced the best years of his life are just beginning. His plan seems like it’s all falling into place when Tak’s beautiful niece Ramona (Lynn Chen, SAVING FACE) moves in. But once Jimmy sets his sights on stealing her from his best friend Tim (James Kyson Lee, “Heroes”), he sees his intentions go hilariously awry.

Hilarious and touching, “White on Rice” is a Japanese-American comic treat that reminds us families stick together…like white on rice!