Indie filmmaker Albert Pyun has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis — a startling revelation bringing an abrupt halt to the Hawaii writer-director’s cinematic career. "I will be hospitalized for more tests and treatment," Pyun said in an email. "My entire right side is impaired and I have the major symptoms of the disease even as I write this, which is a bit of a struggle."
The condition is affecting the cult director’s immediate film activities. "I’m wrapping up what are likely to be my last films — ‘Road to Hell’ and ‘Cyborg Nemesis: The Dark Rift,’" he said. "My dream was to get to Hawaii to screen ‘Road to Hell’ next month, but I’m not sure I can make that happen now."
Since his diagnosis, he’s put in 17-hour days to complete "Road to Hell," much to the chagrin of his doctors. "They don’t understand that it makes me feel less affected by the MS symptoms and it’s critical for my soul. To stop would be like tearing out the essence of my soul, since I’ve been making films since I was 10," Pyun said. "I can sense some impairment to my brain as my memory and clarity are both impacted."
Pyun is both resourceful and philosophical about his fate and has discovered much emotion and layers to "Road to Hell," "which is really the movie about my life presently."
Another project, "Blood Sucking Devil," was to start soon in South Africa, but obviously is shelved so he can tend to his health issues. …
OLIVE GARDEN: Jason Olive, the athlete-model-actor, returns to his ol’ stompin’ grounds Monday through Wednesday, taking a breather before he launches the next chapter of his ever-evolving life: as Joseph in the third season of "Tyler Perry’s ‘For Better or Worse’" comedy at a new home base, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Olive’s garden of achievements have included University of Hawaii men’s volleyball, where he was a first-team all-American and a member of the school’s first Final Four appearance, a former regular on soaps such as "Guiding Light," "Passions" and "All My Children," a star of the volleyball flick "Beach Kings," an emerging photographer, a certified hunk, model and fitness guru. He’s come a long way since his Johnson Hall days in Manoa. …
VINYL STILL THRIVES: For those who still dwell on vinyl and CDs, take note: Hungry Ear Records in Kailua, Hawaii’s oldest record store, marks its 33rd anniversary this week. Ward Yamashita and Dennie Chong, two ex-employees who took over store ownership in 2008, will hold a sale and thank-you celebration Thursday through Saturday, when everything $5 or more will be $2 off.
"Hungry Ear is part of a dying breed of independent record store that thrives on the rabid music fan rather than the casual mall customer," Yamashita says. Chong adds: "We’re also glad to support local musicians, carrying their recordings and promoting their live shows." …
FINAL ALOHA: The Actors’ Group, where Sam Polson did much of his acting, will host a celebration of his life at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 22. Polson died Aug. 9 in Honolulu at age 80. Classically trained on the mainland, Polson was an award-winning stage actor and musician, a filmmaker, editor and writer. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Actors’ Group, Dole Cannery Square, 650 Iwilei Road, Suite 101, Honolulu, HI 96817. …
CLUBLICITY: Kevin "Mojokane" Coleman and The Flat Five perform Chicago blues from 7:30 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday at OnStage Drinks and Grinds in Kapahulu. …
Shawna Masuda, Eponine in "Les Misérables"beginning Sept. 20 at Windward Community College’s Paliku Theatre, has been singing with pal Starr Kalahiki and the Jazz All-Stars — most recently, at Gordon Biersch at Aloha Tower Marketplace. …
Speaking of "Les Miz," an item in last week’s "Show Biz" about an extended run was premature.
To clarify, Paliku Theatre still is caught in bureaucratic red tape that is hindering sales for additional performances of the musical beyond the scheduledOct. 20closure; while the licensing organization Music Theatre International is cooperating on holdover dates,compliance hurdles with the state and federal government still are not settled. It’s best to check the website, www.paliku.com or inquire with the box office at 235-7310 for updates. …
And that’s "Show Biz." …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
