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Khu.éex':The Magic of Noise

This documentary follows the journey of experimental rock band
Khu.éex’ (pronounced koo-eex), which means "to invite" in the Tlingit language from Southeast Alaska, over a tumultuous decade from the group's inception through love, loss and creativity as they overcome cultural genocide by performing and creating music.

  • Michael-Peter Kane Kleven
    Director
    The Train I Missed
  • Elke Victoria Hautala
    Producer
    The Train I Missed, The Uncertain Detective Series
  • John W Comerford
    Producer
    Icons Among Us, Wallflower
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Indigenous Culture, Music
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 28 minutes 45 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 4, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    75,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English, Haida, Tlingit
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Michael-Peter Kane Kleven

Director Michael Kleven grew up in Bellingham, Washington, and later earned degrees in theater from Western Washington University and film from Seattle Central College. Since beginning his career, Kleven has been active as a filmmaker and production sound mixer. As a sound mixer, he has worked on everything from feature films to award-winning documentaries and is a proud member of IATSE Local 488.

Kleven has previously helmed a wildly successful staging of Sam Shepard’s Buried Child at Fairhaven College. He’s co-directed with Elke Hautala, The Train I Missed, a film recounting the harrowing tale of a 3-year-old Jewish child evading the Nazis during WW2. Other projects they have made together have focused on empowering the disabled, historic preservation, Indigenous fine art, and the natural world. 

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Director Statement

This film was born from my deep love for live performance and original music, as well as a profound sense of connection with Native American and Alaska Native communities. Khu.éex' is more than just a band—it is a living, breathing collaboration that powerfully and movingly merges cultural storytelling with musical innovation.

I wanted to give audiences an intimate look at a band's life—not just the performances but the creative process, the challenges, and the deep personal bonds that come with making music together. The journey of capturing this story was not without obstacles. A bootstrapped budget, the COVID-19 pandemic, a catastrophic hard drive failure, and changes within the band unexpectedly shaped the film. Yet, each of these challenges ultimately became part of the narrative, reflecting the resilience and dedication of the artists.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was working with the members of Khu.éex’. Their authenticity, generosity, and talent made every moment meaningful. Partnering with Creative Producer Elke Hautala and a team of incredible Seattle cinematographers gave me the confidence to focus on gathering the right pieces to tell a compelling and true story. My technical skills as a filmmaker and sound mixer also allowed me to keep the production moving forward, even when resources were scarce.

This film will always hold a special place in my heart because it allowed me to witness the band’s creative world up close. It didn’t turn out exactly as we first envisioned—how could it be when the world around us shifted rapidly? But in that evolution, we found something even more honest: a reflection of life’s impermanence, the perseverance of artists, and the unbreakable power of music to unite.

Through the support of Sealaska Heritage, Khu.éex' bassist and renowned glass artist Preston Singletary, and the generosity of friends and family, we brought this vision to life. The experience of making this film has taught me invaluable lessons—about trust, patience, and the long-term dedication needed to tell meaningful stories. I hope that by watching this film, audiences will not only gain insight into the journey of Khu.éex’ but also come away with a deeper appreciation for the role of music in cultural expression and human connection.