At dawn, Kelsey Akioka hikes out onto the Kalapana lava fields with a camera in hand and 80 lbs of gear on his back. We observe his methodical photography process amid one of nature’s most beautiful and chaotic events. Under the shade of a pop-up tent, he sells these photos at a small makeshift marketplace to apathetic tourists. By the end of the day, Kelsey returns home, exhausted and worn, to his son and elderly father. When he learns his friend is sacrificing his passion and moving away from home to pursue a better life for his family, Kelsey begins to question his own choices. As his frustrations spill into his home life, Kelsey must confront the turmoil stirring within him.
Directed by Erin Lau
photographer
photography
hawaii
volcano
family
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.4 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Brandon Finn
Edson
James Koons
Wealthy Tourist
Dann Seki
Albert Akioka
Crew
Erin Lau
Director
Zoe Eisenberg
Producer
Paula Weinstein
Executive Producer
Popular Reviews
16 reviews
Sultanji
1.0★ · 03/29/26
17 minute long short film, went 16 minutes in and had no idea still what I was watching.
17 minute long short film, went 16 minutes in and had no idea still what I was watching.
Illusionerr
7.0★ · 01/11/26
Short film, long emotional damage.
Short film, long emotional damage.
Clau
7.0★ · 10/28/25
Studies have shown that generational trauma can be passed down to at least four to seven generations.
Studies have shown that generational trauma can be passed down to at least four to seven generations.