Dvd
Land of the Long White Cloud
Florian Habicht describes his latest exposé of the recreational habits of Northlanders as a ‘sequel of sorts’ to his classic Kaikohe Demolition. Claimed to be the largest surfcasting event in the world, the annual Ninety Mile Beach Red Snapper Classic attracts hundreds of anglers for five days every February to compete for prizes in excess of $250,000, with the biggest snapper taking out a serious $50,000. Habicht joins them, camera in hand, full of questions about what they might be thinking as they engage in this elemental and apparently very relaxing pursuit. How will they spend the prize money? Do they believe in an afterlife? Habicht relishes the individual flavour of every frank response. There are interludes of boisterous carousing, grueling scenes of snapper passion, and long and lovely shots of the long and lovely beach. The amiable atmosphere of tolerance and unpretentious philosophising is so salty and true and rousing that you could bottle it, call it Kiwiade, and sell it by the crateload to homesick expatriates. [source: New Zealand Film Festival 2009]
Starring Ossie Perrie, Shane Storey, Wiremu Henare, Heather Hales
Directed by Florian Habicht ('Woodenhead', 'Kaikohe Demolition', 'Rubbings from a Live Man')
Cinematographer Florian Habicht, Niamh Peren, Christopher Pryor
Music by Marc Chesterman
1hr 15mins | Origin: New Zealand
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- Flicks Review
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Flicks review
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Talented local director Florian Habicht’s latest release is perfectly timed for summer, what with it being a documentary about fishing on one of our most famous beaches. It has an authentic kiwi feel that should be appreciated by local audiences.
The endless stretch of sand and surf that is Ninety Mile Beach lends itself to stunning landscape photography and the film is structured so that the landscape is infused with mystical, mythical qualities to become a friendly antagonist in man-versus-nature vignettes.
The cast of local characters who make up the fishing competition are approached with a mix of respectful understanding and gentle humour, allowing them to come across as entertaining whilst picking up the pearls of unconventional wisdom that drop from their lips. An offbeat soundtrack and some elaborate helicopter and underwater photography adds technical flourish to the humanist heart of the film.
The film’s running time is brief but that just keeps things tight and to the point without compromising the soothing, familiar qualities of the New Zealand beach, where you’ll want to head as soon as the closing credits run.By Andreas Heinemann, Flicks.co.nz
The Peoples voice
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A Heartfelt Classic
5
At last year's International Film Festival, this was one of the films that knocked my socks off. Florian has made a film that is gorgeously warm, (figuratively as well as literally), and which contains beautifully nuanced editing, cinematography and sound. A documentary like this one is really hard to get right - there's the risk of adopting a condescending tone towards interviewees, of being clichéd or over-syrupy, or striving to capture a quirkiness that seems forced.
'Land of the Long White Cloud' however, is a testimony to the goodwill, honesty and intelligence of its creator. People have opened up to Florian and his team (even some 16 year old guys are shyly prepared to talk about love). An assortment of characters let rip with all kinds of wise and riveting anecdotes, making for a viewing experience that is deeply enjoyable and quirky, without feeling contrived. This film makes you proud to be a NZer - there are scenes that could adorn any postcard, but the content of the film goes beyond the allure of the surface, and is hilarious and heartfelt.By Miriam Harris
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5
Pure NZ film. Beautiful, almost edible shots. Made me feel like I had been on holiday. Kiwiana brilliance.
By Jordan
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I expected this film to be good.
5
But is is absolutely fantastic! The underwater work LIVES with this music, that always fits and uplifts. Excellent choice of music throughout. The photography is wonderful...(I would have flown even higher in the end... to show the length of the 'long white cloud....). I loved the honesty, the realness, the smell of salt reaching me on my seat. I loved how you can resist the temptation to romantisize...
I think this film will do for NZ tourism what crocodile dundee did for Australia's !! Boost it by 10%...
Personally, I felt great throughout the film, laughed my arse off and saw in concentrate what is best about NZ and Kiwis...By Fritz
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humble and brilliant
5
Something about the majesty of the land and ocean and the simpleness of the act of fishing and philosophising in that unpretentious laconic NZ way makes for a truly heart-warming and beautiful film. Definitely see it on the big screen while you can! Walk out happy.
By Steve Abel
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a brilliant film!
5
this film has captured magic, and i doubt there's a person in New Zealand who wouldn't be mesmerised by it like my mum, dad and I were. it left me thinking and giggling for weeks afterwards. it's a great film.
By Fiona Jack
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Highly recommend
5
Florian interviews interesting Kiwi heartland characters with real affection for the far north and it's inhabitants. Beautifully shot and edited, I think this is his best work to date!
By Gina - Academy Cinemas
Press Reviews
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Listener (Helene Wong)
An acute sense of Kiwi identity that brings both a smile and a tear... Habicht captures, without fuss or pretension, the elemental and surreal qualities of the seascape while evoking something that's quintessentially New Zealand...
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NZ Herald (Peter Calder)
3 3 out of 5 stars
Enchanting if occasionally unfocused.
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Real Groove (Marty Duda)
5 5 out of 5 stars
Habicht does a wonderful job of presenting these folks as articulate, thoughtful and happy with their lot in life. At the same time he proves what a great eye he has developed, with one stunning scene after another. Rather than cutting quickly from shot to shot to try and generate excitement, Florian allows the camera to linger and we, as viewers are able to take in the beauty of the ocean and the artfully composed shots of fishermen standing in the surf. Add a bit of carefully chosen music and you’ve got another minor masterpiece from one of our finest directors.
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TV3 (Kate Rodger)
4 4 out of 5 stars
It’s a gentle delight this film, as Habicht’s subjects wax lyrical on everything from fishing to politics and the media.
Click to read the full review
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