LIBESTRAUME
("Dreaming of love" - The Life of Killer Ray)
[DigiBeta / 35mm]

Killer Ray is a cult figure in the New Zealand music scene, well into his sixies, he is also one of New Zealands oldest cult figures. Dressed as a masked coyboy he plays his electric keyboard at parties, supermarkets and rock concerts, the built in drum patterns backing his toneless (and sometimes muttered) singing. Ray is definitely an eccentric old man, a "way out cat" as he is known to describe himself. "Liebestraume" is the story of Ray's life, not as it really happened, but how he remembers it.

In Rays story he is born from the ocean waves, walking out of the sea with his bicycle, straight into life as a shy paperboy. Through his life he brushes his chest with toothbrushes, meets various women, struggles with loneliness and becomes crazy when he hears jazz. Other people tell their stories too. A policeman shares his opinions on life, Ray, Hitler and egg racing in the small town of Puketona Hills. A waitress confesses to breaking and entering. A protestor tires of waiting for the end of the world, and everyone has problems with dogs.

Liebestraume is often funny, sometimes sad and always very beautiful. The film has recently been screened in Rialto Cinemas around New Zealand and is due to be shown in Auckland soon. (May 2000)                                                                                                          HOME