Love Story
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Florian Habicht, Masha Yakovenko, Florian's father
Director: Florian Habicht
Delightfully quirky, and a little bit insane, this is the latest
from NZ film maker Florian Habicht who made Kaikohe Demolition and
Land of the Long White Cloud. It's opening in Auckland and playing
in the 2011 New Zealand International Film Festival as well.
It's a mash of genres - with a dazzling pinch of
interactivity.
Love Story is made on the fly with the truly interactive feel of
New York and those who live there. Basically, Habicht one day sees
a woman (Masha Yakovenko) walking on the streets holding a plate
with a piece of cake on it.
Spurred on by a whim, he introduces himself to Masha and persuades
her to be part of his film - only, he doesn't really have a vision
of where it's going and this is where the New Yorkers and his
father come in as he seeks advice from them about what he should do
next&
Love Story is random, nuts, hilarious and touching throughout as
well.
There's a real blurring of reality though as Florian the film maker
plays "Florian the film maker" (or does he?) as he directs himself
in this film which takes the path chosen by the New Yorkers he
randomly meets in the streets.
It's also got a brilliant turn by his dad - who tends to skype in
and join the discussion at highly random times but with laugh out
loud repercussions.
This wonderfully absurd and highly watchable film is rewarding,
entertaining and will make you smile the biggest smile as you head
out into the winter nights. It's to be commended for its light tone
which shows an inventive touch at work and one who'll clearly be
able to turn his hand to anything when necessary.
Plus you'll never look at romantically eating food off someone in
the same way again when you see this...