Director’s Statement

“Trekking through the dense labyrinth of branches and logs, my wearied shoulders bore everything necessary to live for a week off the grid. Guided by Graham, an impassioned photographer on a quest to identify unknown species, we hiked for hours, all to prevent an impending extinction crisis. The ʻAkikiki, a once common honeycreeper of Kauaʻi, was now reduced to a few wild individuals clinging to existence in the most remote parts of the mountains.

As we rested beneath a towering ‘Ōhiʻa tree, Graham’s cheery tone shifted, reflecting on the lower elevation where we stood, once thriving with native birds. “As invasive species go higher up the mountains,” he explained, “native birds are disappearing.  Listen…”

And there it was. Nothing but wind in the branches and… silence.”

– Ella Marcil

Documentary Film Process

Development

“When Silence Becomes The Song” took months of careful preparation before filming could even begin. Ella was studying in Cincinnati while most members of the production crew and science team were in Hawaiʻi. For that reason, meetings had to be scheduled virtually, on different time zones. There were numerous late-night and early-morning discussions with producers, conservationists, scientists, and other media team members about script pitches, logistics, and safety precautions – just to name a few. The film initially focused on the perspectives and point-of-views of four people (two biologists and two videographers) as they go through their rescue mission. However, it quickly became clear that planning ahead of time would be nearly impossible due to various factors including weather conditions, access to the birds, and people’s unavailability as they follow and track the birds over a very large area of the Alakaʻi Plateau. So the script changed, and solely focused on Ella’s journey as she spends time with the team and witnesses the ʻakikiki’s extinction in the wild.

Production

Ella flew to Hawaiʻi on the very first day of her university spring break in March 2023. The next morning, she and Graham hiked up the Alaka’i Plateau to meet up the rest of the team. The plateau is known as the wettest spot on Earth, so filming conditions were extremely difficult. Halfway through the week, equipment started failing, and backup plans and equipment had to be implemented and used. Ella had originally hoped to document the rescue of ʻakikiki eggs and chicks, from the nests all the way up to the conservation center where the birds are being relocated, but that turned out to become an impossibility as the nests they were hoping to collect were failing one after the other. In fact, during her time up in the mountains, Ella saw more dead ʻakikiki than living ones. Forest birds could be heard in the most remote parts of the mountains chirping and going about their business, but the ‘akikiki’s songs weren’t much part of that symphony. Silence was indeed becoming their song. And now, ʻakikiki’s songs are no longer heard in the wild.

Post-Production

After returning to Cincinnati, Ella began post-production, and additional virtual meetings took place as the film was being edited. A first version of the film was presented in-person at the Kauaʻi Community College on August 8^th in order to receive feedback, and most importantly, to get the blessings of local Hawaiian cultural practitioners and Kūpuna (i.e. honored elders). Additional virtual community screenings were also held on other Hawaiian Islands (Maui, Oahuand Big Island) for feedback and suggestions to improve the story. The community response to the film was overwhelmingly positive, and based on all the comments received, the film was finalized in early 2024.

Distribution

“When Silence Becomes The Song” will be submitted to various film festivals and various community/environmental events, and updates will be provided on this website as the film becomes available for streaming.

In the News

College student from Kauaʻi films new documentary about endangered ʻakikiki

Hawaiʻi Public Radio – HPR

UC student documents wildlife tragedy in Hawaii

University of Cincinnati News

Hawaii Public Radio: UC student films doc about endangered bird

University of Cincinnati News

Ohio film student follows researchers’ desperate bid on Kauaʻi to save ʻakikiki from extinction

Kauaʻi Now

When Silence Becomes The Song – PBS Hawaii

PBS Hawai’i

Background information on Ella Marcil

Additional Information