Extra Features Interviews: John Salanoa About his Film ‘Who’s Chico’

August 4, 2025

Today we’re interviewing up-and-coming filmmaker John Salanoa about his latest film, “Who’s Chico.” The film is Salanoa’s second short, following his 2023 short, “Maka’i.” Salanao also voiced the narration in the 2023 Documentary “Sharkcano: Hawaii” by Director Kevin Bachar, which explored tiger sharks and why they are drawn to Hawaii’s volcanoes.

Not a documentary or exploration of wildlife, “Who’s Chico” is a comedy/short of the highest order. It focuses on crime boss Maka, played by Salanoa, who thinks a lesson in club-fisted torture is just what his crew needs to fall in line. But the crew has other plans, and soon begins a high body-count battle for control of the criminal enterprise (IMDb).

The film features screenwriting by Robert Barclay and Henry Park and a solid cast. Aside from Salanoa, the cast features: Kahiau Machado as Kekai, Milo Magno as Risky, Leya Ogihara as a radio DJ, Steven Falatea as Shane, Tristy Chun as Kimlee, and Brian Eubank as the titular Chico. Shawn Hiatt—who did camera and electrical work on Jim Carrey’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” provides the film’s cinematography.

You can listen to the interview in link below. Follow us iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube to watch/listen there as well.

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