Same But Different: A True New Zealand Love Story

I’ve been getting more and more into New Zealand comedy recently. I still can’t quite pin-point what makes the nation’s comedy unique, but I know I like it. So, I liked Same But Different: A True New Zealand Love Story. It’s a comedy-focused New Zealand lesbian love story. It’s not the most action-packed film. And I can’t say it made me laugh out loud. But it did make me exhale through my nose in amusement multiple times. I’m pretty judgmental so even that moderate reaction is a pretty good sign.

Same But Different: A True New Zealand Love Story is based on real-life love story of writer/director Nikki Si’ulepa and producer Rachel Aneta Wills. The film begins with Rachel as an actress and single mum. Rachel’s also a bit racially ignorant. At a local film festival, Rachel meets Nikki. Nikki is a Samoan filmmaker and to Rachel, beautiful to the point of distraction. Rachel’s experience with dating women is limited. But she knows she wants Nikki. Now, she just has to stop putting her foot in her mouth, especially when it comes to discussions of race and indigenous people.

This is a pretty conflict-light movie. Same But Different just tracks Rachel and Nikki’s descent into a committed relationship. There’s no major obstacle to overcome like homophobia or one of them being married. Truly, the major conflict in their relationship is Rachel’s racial ignorance. That’s the only thing holding them back from being girlfriends by the hour mark. Rachel’s just gotta unlearn some racism over the film’s runtime and then this couple will be smooth sailing.

The depiction of relations between white New Zealanders and minority indigenous cultures is what makes Same But Different unique. Few WLW films focus on indigenous experiences. And this depiction clearly comes from real-life experiences. The film focuses on how white people can be patronizing or oblivious in their interactions with indigenous people. Rachel has to unlearn racism. She’s clearly not malicious, just kinda stupid. There’s a funny scene where one of Nikki’s cousins turns the tables on Rachel and gives her a patronizing “you go girl” speech about how brave Rachel is for daring to do her job. Missing the sarcasm, Rachel is sincerely touched by it. Rachel’s mom is also a funny depiction of the “woke” white woman trying too hard. She knows all the lingo and acts supportive, but in a way which is ultimately dehumanizing and patronizing to the people she’s trying to show support of.

Honestly, it’s great to see a comedy about indigenous relations. This means that serious and structural as the issue is, in Same But Different, it will all work out okay. There’s also a real celebration here of Samoan culture. And a chance for its indigenous characters to share some grievances about social faux pas. It’s also so funny remembering that the film is semi-autobiographical. That means that Rachel’s constant racial ignorance comes from one of two places. Either real-life Rachel is writing a deeply self-deprecating comedy about her own social failures. Or, real-life Nikki made an entire film based on how cringe her girlfriend was when they started dating.

Same But Different: A True New Zealand Love Story is a solid little romantic comedy with something to say. But also, the jokes are pretty strong. The film focuses on the subject of indigenous people and racial micro-aggression. Same But Different has the optimistic attitude that such racism comes from a place of ignorance and can be unlearned. It’s also a really polished looking film, ready to be seen on a theatre screen. This is an all-around success. Nikki Si’ulepa and Rachel Aneta Wills found a way to make their personal love story universal and entertaining.

Overall rating: 6.5/10

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