THE SYNOPSIS

In a ballroom called Paradise, in the aftermath of World War II, a proud Hawaiian singer dances with a returned American soldier and debates the dignity of the American dream. 

Mahea sings atop a makeshift bandstand, full of masked contempt for the audience of the G.I.s below. Later, when the lights have come on, and the crowd has cleared out, Mahea sits alone on the stage, lost in thoughts about a simpler time - until a lone soldier returns holding unused dance tickets.

A taut tête-à-tête follows on the ballroom floor as Mahea accepts the soldier's invitation to dance - only to indict the American way of life he serves. With every step, Mahea puts colonialism on trial, defending the honor of her people against fetish and exoticism.  As they move around the room, Mahea's Hawaiian values come into conflict with her own prejudices, as this soldier has no designs on living past tonight.

This last taxi dance is either a strange cry for help or a final happy moment in an otherwise forgotten life.

STRIKING A MATCH

"A few years ago, I was surfing on the North Shore [of Oʻahu] with Chapin Hall - the film's cinematographer; he has an eye for everything. Between sets, Chapin asks, 'Do you have any good ideas for a short film?' That was an opening for me to share the concept that had been going through my mind for some time at that point. I asked, 'Have you ever heard of taxi dancing?' and the story unfolds from there." - Brayden Yoder, Writer + Director