Review /// NZ Film Festival Opening Night

The Auckland leg of the New Zealand international Film Festival kicked off on a typically squally July evening with Florian Habicht's much anticipated Love Story. The film is Habicht’s first since being awarded the inaugural Harriet Friedlander New York artist residency, which he took up in 2009. Having thoroughly enjoyed his moving examination of rural New Zealand in Kaikohe Demolition it’s safe to say I had pretty high expectations for Habicht’s latest work.

Festival director Bill Gosden began proceedings with the obligatory opening remarks and acknowledgement of the various sponsors, before introducing Habicht, who sauntered to the front of the Civic showcasing his quirky style. It was a real bonus to have the director present and he is an instantly likeable down to earth kiwi who gave a brief but entertaining introduction to what was to follow.

Habicht plays the character of Florian, a filmmaker who stumbles upon the gorgeous Masha (played by Masha Yakovenko), who curiously happens to be walking the streets of New York City carrying a piece of cake on a plate. He is instantly captivated by her and while their initial rendezvous is short lived, they part ways in agreement that if they are meant to see each other again they will.

Alas this second meeting never eventuates and Florian, longing to see Masha again, takes to putting up posters in the hope that she will see them and contact him, which she does. Masha agrees to take part in Florian’s film project and with the help of everyday New Yorkers the story takes on a life of its own. Habicht’s father, Frank, also appears via Skype calls and gives his own brand of career guidance to Florian along with suggestions on what should happen next.

The film combines documentary and fiction in a whimsical examination of love amongst the heart and soul of New York city and its people; from a disheveled middle aged homeless man reminiscing about his first love to a trio of inquisitive film students eager to be part of Habicht’s journey, there is no shortage of subjects willing to respond to the filmmakers’ requests and offer their views on love and how the film should progress.

While these subjects are all demographically very different, they all have their own unique story to tell and you become as much involved in those individual stories as you do in the overall story that they are helping drive.

As the movie progresses the line between reality and fiction become blurred and you almost feel like Habicht’s feelings for Masha extend beyond what the fiction side of the film necessitates and into real life, but you never know for sure, and as it draws to a close a slightly melancholic streak develops as the initial excitement and lust of Florian and Masha’s relationship wears off.

Overall it is a beautiful and original film that showcases Habicht’s knack for capturing the personality and beauty of everyday people and drawing you into their world. Love, comedy, sex and a vibrant set of random New Yorkers all combine to produce and funny and engaging story that I would highly recommend, particularly if you are a big fan of New York. Habicht’s unique personality and quirky style shone through in person and transferred effortlessly into the film and he capped off the evening by calling Masha in New York and holding the phone up so an adoring audience could send their thanks and appreciation. It was nice touch and not at all surprising given the thoroughly enjoyable experience that he had delivered over the previous 2 hours.