The premiere of the Cousins Brothers Productions new film, “Night Marchers,” is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, in theaters throughout the Hawaiian Islands, including Waimea Theatre.
With an ensemble cast and production team made up entirely of local talent, “Night Marchers” was produced on Hawaii Island.
The original “Night Marchers” was produced 20 years ago and released in 2001, with a sequel the following year. Identical twins and Hawaii Island filmmakers Blake and Brent Cousins, smashed box-office records with their original release.
“Now 20 years later they are back on the big screen with with a re-telling of the legend of the night marchers, supernatural Hawaiian warriors who protect the king’s trails,” a press release said. “Sightings of the night marchers have been reported on each of the Hawaiian islands.”
The Cousins Brothers developed their original story for the film by compiling reports from law enforcement officials, members of local fire departments, and kupuna from all over the islands.
These reports include recurring testimony from residents who have seen the night marchers right in their own living rooms, the release said. The pounding of drums and distant torches come into focus as the night marchers appear.
“The legend of the night marchers has sent chills through the people of Hawaii for generations, and the Cousins Brothers deliver again with the latest version of the legend that will be sure to raise chicken skin for all who see it,” the release said.
Brent Cousins, executive producer and director, hopes that the release of “Night Marchers” will achieve the same impact that the original film enjoyed 20 years ago.
“The new generation will experience the terror of the night marchers and the message of respecting their culture and their aina,” Cousins said.
Cousins is both proud and humble to have the opportunity to bring the legend of the night marchers to Hawaii audiences once again in this digital age.
“As a local independent film maker, I’ve always wanted to create a Hawaiian-style film industry where local actors and producers have films shown on the big screen, made in Hawaii for Hawaii, with an international appeal, while showcasing the islands’ unique culture and majestic locations,” said Blake Cousins.
The film begins 20 years later after the original when a Hollywood reality television producer comes up with the idea to pick up the story and travel to Hawaii to hunt for the paranormal legend and document the existence of night marchers.
What he and his camera crew experience is far more than they bargained for.
The talent pool for Hawaii-born and bred actors is deep as seen in the performances of local actors: Keali‘i Kanekoa from the Big Island and Anuhea La, a Maui resident.
“Their performances in the ‘Night Marchers’ are sure to pave the way for future talent from Hawaii,” the release said.
Brent and Blake Cousins has been active in filmmaking for more than 30 years. This award-winning duo has to their credit seven feature-length films, an internationally renown Youtube channel, “Thirdphaseofmoon,” with 750,000 subscribers, that began in 2008, and is in the production of commercial and documentary films.
The twins are always working, but they are happiest when
making movies, and this latest version of the “Night Marchers” was a true labor of love. Working in remote jungle locations created challenges that the Cousins Brothers and the entire “Night Marchers” crew met with a creative vigor that they believe can be seen in the film.
The goal is the same as it was 20 years ago: To produce feature-length films here in Hawaii that utilize the talent of the people of Hawaii and that entertain and celebrate Hawaii.
I once went to Kauai’s Hindu temple on the ridge section above Wailua river and asked one of those monks about any encounter with Hawaiian night marchers and his eyes got real big.
He stated that when the temple was first being built he ran into a line of Hawaiian warriors coming down the mountain at night and one particular huge warrior came forward and threw a heavy spear towards him that hit a boulder causing a impact crater that he showed us.
He kept a piece of that boulder in the temple. I think these two film producers have not really ran into the real Night Marchers and produces a fake movie. I’ve run into some really hairy encounters that many would be too terrified to face directly as electronic equipment will fail and all your mental and physical responses are countered including being paralyzed.
I know of a spot where such events actually occurs and highly doubt these guys are willing to put their necks on the line for some real encounter.
Delighted you have made these movies. We experienced the Night Marchers at our home on Kauai…..we would have disturbances in our house almost nightly. ……our dog was terrified! We eventually realized what was going on and had the assistance of one of our Hawaiian friends to reroute them around the house. As long as we kept our agreement of an open gate and invitation to use the property by honoring them, we had no additional problems.