Private Project

The Secret of Mauna Kea - Kona Coffee, Energy and the Future

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With the aim of achieving energy independence within 10 years, Beatrice and Werner moved from Switzerland to Hawaii. On the Big Island, the lab technician and the engineer show us how to make a world-class biological product: "Kona Coffee". A biogas generator called "Venus" contributes to a closed water and green waste cycle. In between, we visit a roastery in Kona and "Dr. Coffee" tells us what makes "Specialty Coffee" so special...

  • Leon Vogel
    Director
  • Leon Vogel
    Writer
  • Yumi Vogel
    Producer
  • Leon Vogel
    Producer
  • Bea Thie
    Key Cast
  • Werner Thie
    Key Cast
  • Shawn Steiman
    Key Cast
  • Brit Horn
    Key Cast
  • Nathan dela Cruz
    Key Cast
  • Kelly Ward
    Key Cast
  • Ookami Productions
    Music
  • Benjamin Knaus
    Color Grading
  • Yumi Vogel
    Camera
  • Leon Vogel
    Camera
  • Leon Vogel
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Indie, Documentary
  • Runtime:
    59 minutes 9 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 1, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    6,000 CHF
  • Country of Origin:
    Switzerland
  • Country of Filming:
    Switzerland, United States
  • Language:
    English, German
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Leon Vogel

Leon Vogel is a German video producer and creative head at Kabasaiko, a video producing company he founded together with his brother. Spending a good time with nice people while being productive is what get's him up in the morning. Born into an artist family in south Germany- Leon's mother is a goldsmith and his father a musician- he moved to Switzerland where he lives and works together with his japanese wife and co-director and co-producer, Yumi Vogel.

Yumi Vogel was born and raised in the suburbs of Tokyo. With her background she contributes to projects in her own unique way. Learning how her life is connected to the human identity and sharing the learnings via film is her motivation. Leon's European background contributes to her personal journey.

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Director Statement

With "The Secret of Mauna Kea" we want to show that it is possible to produce one of the world's most favourite beverages in a sustainable manner: Specialty Coffee from Kona, Hawaii. But the secret is neither the coffee nor how it is produced. The actual secret of Mauna Kea is the people's lifestyle, that could function as a reference and directive for other sustainable cells around the globe.

The movie has subtitles for both spoken languages, Swiss-German and English. 59' min.

World premiere: The film has never been screened before nor been broadcast on television or online.