Center for Asian American Media

From the late Kayo Hatta, the director of the award-winning 'Picture Bride,' comes FISHBOWL, a comical coming-of-age tale based on Lois-Ann Yamanaka’s novel, 'Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers.' Set in Hilo, Hawai’i during the 1970s, 13-year-old Lovey is an outsider with an overactive imagination who must deal with not only a bad perm, but also the snotty yet seemingly perfect leader of the most popular clique at school and her menacing teacher who ridicules her for speaking Pidgin English. Her relationship with her best friend, Jerry, becomes strained when he abandons Lovey in a moment of weakness to entertain the popular school clique. But with the Halloween costume party quickly approaching, all is forgiven and Lovey and Jerry transform themselves into the dynamic “Captain and Tenille,” hoping to win the top prize. Will Lovey ever have her chance to be noticed and shine in front of everyone? And will she finally find her voice and self respect?

“In many ways it showed me part of myself at that age; being an outsider and not wanting to be, and at the same time being very resolute in your own ideals and not wanting to conform. There is so much of this story that is truly universal...”

- Raymond, Port Charlotte, Florida

“I didn’t grow up in Hawai’i or speak Pidgin English, but the film was dead on in its portrayal of gawky adolescence. I cheered Lovey’s triumph at the end; her bravery showed that she would overcome the adversity known as adolescence.”

- Jeanne Miller

“What...badda you! Having grown up in Hawai’i in the ’70s this film was a mix of reliving my youth and having a chance to smile at the cultural diversity that at the time was so…difficult…I am a Haole and fitting in was not always easy. Speaking pidgin was THE most important way to blend in, while in school…Mahalo, No ack Eh...!”

- John Lewis, San Francisco

“It’s a film-fabulous list! The films selected address the diverse needs of the teens served in our libraries as they come of age in this rapidly changing world.”

- Michael T. Wallace, Chair, Selected DVDs and Videos for Young Adults Committee, American Library Association (in reference to films awarded in 2008)

Awards
Kayo Hatta – Film in Hawai’i Award, Hawai’i Film and Videomaker Award
Emmy© Award, Outstanding Historical /Cultural Program/ Special, Northern California Chapter of National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
American Library Association's 2008 Selected DVDs & Videos for Young Adults

Recognition
San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival
Hawai’i International Film Festival
Amsterdam Cinemasia Film Festival
National PBS Broadcast, Independent Lens

Additional Resources
See the Fishbowl web site »
Study guide for grades 6 & up. »

College/Institution

K-12/Public Library/Community Group