In the Stillness of the Night

“In the Stillness of the Night” is a multimedia fable that plunges viewers into the silent struggle of the ‘ōpe’ape’a, Hawai’i’s only endemic land mammal, against extinction. For many Hawaiians, these bats are ‘aumakua, powerful family ancestors, yet they remain largely unseen and unappreciated. The film follows a lone ‘ōpe’ape’a through its existence—hunting, playing, quietly roosting, and giving birth to twins—all within a vibrant, yet shrinking, Hawaiian rainforest.

This intimate journey reveals a deeper truth: in the background, outsized human hands steadily dismantle the ‘ōpe’ape’a’s ancient home. Turbine blades, barbed fences, and wildfires relentlessly force these creatures deeper into ever-smaller patches of forest. In this struggle, the ‘ōpe’ape’a become a powerful symbol of the threats to indigeneity—environmental, cultural, and human. The story is a microcosm of the immense challenges facing Hawai’i, the “Extinction Capital of the World.”

This unique film blurs the lines between documentary and fiction. Presented in a hand-painted toy theatre style, it invites viewers to intimately connect with this endangered creature, rekindling the wonder of a child discovering the hidden marvels of the Hawaiian rainforest. With “In the Stillness of the Night,” we hope to bring viewers into the ‘ōpe’ape’a’s world in an imaginatively informative way, challenging them to reconsider their perceptions and fostering an emotional connection that will inspire them to learn more and take action. We’re left to ponder: if ‘ōpe’ape’a evade our conservation efforts yet can’t escape our destructive actions, when will we know if we’ve crossed the point of no return?