Hannah Ha Ha

Joshua Pikovsky and Jordan Tetewsky grew up together in a small New England town. After co-directing several short films (Bergmersh, Sharon 66 and Bolue Vience) they made their first feature film Hannah Ha Ha. The film received the Grand Jury Prize at the Slamdance festival.

 

NOTICE OF THE SELECTION COMITEE 

Unlike what Jordan Tetewshy’s and Joshua Pikovky’s upbeat title would have you think, Hannah Ha Ha isn’t a zany comedy following in the footsteps of Noah Baumbach’s Frances Ha. Much like the chords that we hear Hannah play as she is teaching one of her pupils at the beginning of the film, all the characters are somewhat out of tune with each other, each having to deal with a world made of bullshit jobs rather than employment that allow for passing on skills and information (guitar lessons, radio broadcasts, land tenancy), and public parks that are turned into private golf courses. That contrast conveys melancholy that infuses the whole film, both the story and the picture. However, Hannah Ha Ha is never burdened by a blanket tone; the directors’ razor-sharp take on the absurdity of our time will make you laugh, and they never lose their earnest compassion for the characters. 

Paola Raiman