CAST BIOS

JUDY: Thea Matsuda
AJUMMA! Are you Krazy??? is Thea’s first venture into acting. She originally auditioned to be an extra, but won the lead role with her natural acting ability and animated mannerisms. While enjoying the entire project, she believed the most rewarding aspect of being a part of this film was the honest and sincere friendships she made with the cast and crew.

In her free time you’ll find Thea spending time with her daughter as well as crocheting, reading mystery-romance novels, watching movies and going to restaurants. However, the majority of her time is spent working for the City and County of Honolulu, where she’s been for 15 great years.

SUSAN:  Tessie Magaoay
Though Tessie is no stranger to being in front of the camera, she has been an extra for Revealing Evidence, Jake and the Fatman, Byrds of Paradise, Raven, Fantasy Island and Unsolved Mysteries (President Ferdinand Marcos); this is Tessie’s first leading role.    

Tessie was born and raised in Waialua, Hawaii, one of four children.  She is an entertainer, dancing hula and a wide variety of ethnic dances (Korean, Filipino, Tahitian and Samoan). She also travels all over the world evangelizing God’s word through hula, sign language and drama.

AMY: Cari Mizumoto
Cari has always had a passion to perform at a young age, which is why she joined the Kathy Muller Agency as a model at the age of 20. Most recently, Cari has been seen on local commercials for Homeworld, Tony Acura, and the Bloodbank & Rehab Center of Hawaii.  Cari is a student of Wayne Ward’s Actor’s Workshop and participated in the 2008 Actors Showcase.

KAHANA / HAWAIIAN SOJU: Kaui Kauhi
Kaui was raised in Waimanalo, Hawaii and comes from a big family. His introduction into acting was on Baywatch Hawaii as a lifeguard (1999-2001). Since then, he has worked on THE RUNDOWN, The AUGIE SHOW, and the independent feature film, PRINCESS KA`IULANI.

MICHAEL PARK: Michael Hsia
Michael started in the world of modeling at the age of 14, and since then he has been featured in Japanese commercials as well as various print, catalogue, and runway campaigns.

Michael is trilingual and can speak English, Mandarin-Chinese, and Korean.  AJUMMA is Michael’s first Hawaii independent film, but he has worked on film projects such as IRON FISTED DRIFTER and THE QUAN LANG ZI in China.

MR. OH: Vince K. Shin
Vince was born and raised in Seoul, Korea.  He immigrated to Hawaii in 1982 to attend college, but he decided to go back to Korea where he began acting in Korean soap operas. In addition to his roles in Korean soaps, Vince has also produced, directed, and acted in various short and feature films and stage plays.  Recently, he returned to Hawaii and is currently making a living as a professional photographer.  AJUMMA marks Vince’s return to acting.

SHEENA: Kawena Chun
Kawena was born and raised in Hawaii, and has appeared in several commercials. Her favorite being the Jeans Warehouse commercial where her outfits change about 30 times.  

She has also co-hosted television shows such as GOOD MORNING HAWAII and DIS-N-DAT. Not to mention, Kawena is proud to say that she has appeared in HBO’s ENTOURAGE and ANTHONY BOURDAIN’S NO RESERVATIONS.

GINA: Tiffany Vega
Tiffany Vega is a model actress in Honolulu who has been in numerous Japanese cosmetic commercials as well as a major network series.  She was born in Vietnam and raised in Southern California. Upon graduating Summa cum Laude from the University of Central Florida she moved to Honolulu.  

Since arriving in Honolulu, she has focused on her modeling and acting career, studying with The Actors Workshop. Tiffany is constantly in demand by Hawaii’s top photographers, promoters, and event planners.

TINA: Cristina de la Diosa
Cristina de la Diosa developed a love for acting at a young age, honing her skills in various school stage productions. Upon graduation from high school in Europe, Cristina pursued a Bachelor degree in Business Administration from the University of Hawaii, but decided to forgo her educational administration aspirations to focus on her first love, acting. Among her recent film credits are ROCK BOTTOM, REDLOVE: THE ART AND CONSEQUENCES OF ILLUSION, and ONE KINE DAY, which is to be released in 2010.

In addition to her film credits, you’ll find Cristina in numerous international and national TV shows and commercials, print ads, billboards and music videos.

DANIEL: David Lim
Born in Seoul, Korea, David Lim is no stranger to the Korean entertainment industry; he organizes concert and events in Hawaii, and has been behind-the-scenes of a number of movies and dramas. Although he had no previous acting experience, except taking Theatre 101 at the University of Hawaii, It felt natural for him to play the role of "Daniel".

Currently, David is the General Manager of Beauty Touch and enjoys traveling, photography, music and movies.




MR. LEE: David Young
Although a radio broadcast veteran, this is the first time David has been in front of the camera.

Mostly known as "Coach Dave" among Oahu's south shore paddling community, he has wandered through most of the south shore clubs during his last 25 years as a paddler and coach.

Dave is fond of science fiction books and movies, and is a confirmed Trekkie. He also delights in watching local Republicans make fools of themselves.

NEWS REPORTER: Jason Suapaia
Most of Jason’s time is spent behind the camera as President & Executive Producer at 1013 Integrated Branding + Production where he has produced projects for a wide range of clientele such as Hilton Hotels in Hawaii, Aloha Airlines, National Geographic, ABC Entertainment, HBO Productions and Revolutions Studios.

However he has accumulated a very diverse list of credits when he has been in front of the camera. For four and a half years, he was co-host of a locally produced TV show called “Hawaii’s Reel Stories” on OC16, and has been in numerous local print and television ads.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Cody Gomes
Cody Gomes began acting when he was in preschool, participating in school plays and talent shows. But his love for acting really took off when he attended Saint Louis High School and played lead roles in many of his school’s productions.

Shortly after graduating, he appeared as an extra on NBC’s Knight Rider.  And then landed a speaking part on ABC’s Lost. Since then, Cody has appeared in Oceanic Time Warner Cable commercials, Lipovitan energy drink commercials, and is a host of OC16’s Opalavision.  Cody will soon be seen on the national level in his role of "Keoki" in SOUL SURFER (The Bethany Hamilton Story).
He got involved with AJUMMA because he loved the script and the people.

CREW BIOS

Brent Anbe: Writer/Director
Brent Anbe is the State of Hawaii: Film Office - Film Industry Development Specialist, and has been with the film office for five years.  At the film office, Brent assists with local, national, and international film productions with permitting, general filming questions, and state location coordinating.

Prior to working at the Hawaii Film Office, he began his career as an intern at a well established production company in Hawaii, Pacific Focus.  From there he worked for local commercial production company Shooters.  He is an active member of Hawaii’s independent film community producing projects ranging from Miss Hawaii USA-special videos to documentaries such as KE KULANA HE MAHU which premiered at the Hawaii International Film Festival in 2001.

AJUMMA is Brent’s first venture into screenwriting and directing of a scripted narrative.  AJUMMA is inspired by his mom, aunts, and co-workers who live, eat and breathe Korean Dramas.  

Laurie Foi: Producer
Laurie Foi production credits include THE RIDE, winner of the Audience Award “Best Feature” HIFF in 2003, and the short film HOLOMUA, featured on PBS Hawaii, April 2009.  Laurie works mainly as a Hawaii based casting director and extras casting with films like soon to be released PRINCESS KA'IULANI, TV series KNIGHT RIDER, LAS VEGAS and Hawaii Opera Theater ‘s THE KING and I.  Laurie’s production credits also include: THE BIG BOUNCE, TEARS OF THE SUN, BLUE CRUSH, HAWAII, ER and BAYWATCH HAWAII.

Ashley Smith: Producer
Ashley C. Smith, production coordinator for film & TV in Hawaii and member of IATSE 871, has coordinated productions from independent and major features to TV shows and commercials.  Most recently she has worked on PRINCESS KA'IULANI, TEMPEST & YOU MAY NOT KISS THE BRIDE.  

AJUMMA is her first film project as a producer and she loves it.  "The challenge of a self-funded local film brings a contrast to the big budget films I'm used to working on. " says Smith.

Keoki Smith: Director of Photography
Keoki Smith is the owner of Gripsmith, a local production equipment company that supplies production companies with grip & lighting gear.  Keoki is a member of IATSE local 665 in Hawaii, and works as a grip and electrician on commercials, films and TV.

When approached by Brent Anbe to have a big part in the filming of AJUMMA, Keoki jumped at the opportunity to be the Director of Photography - fulfilling a longtime dream spawned by his close mentors and friends

Gerald Cruz: Production Designer/ Property Master/ Assoc. Producer
Gerald works full-time at Macy’s Department Stores as a manager in visual merchandising.  He has contributed his creativity and sense of fashion to make compelling visual presentations in live events and films.  

Gerald has worked on many of Brent Anbe‘s productions, such as the Miss Hawaii USA 2007, Chanel Wise video, various music videos and now the AJUMMA film.