Maurice & I

TOGETHER WE’RE PUTTING CHRISTCHURCH ON THE WORLD STAGE

Maurice & I is a feature-length documentary celebrating Sir Miles Warren and Maurice Mahoney’s hugely influential architectural partnership, and their legacy that was all but lost in the devastating Christchurch earthquakes.

This remarkable partnership, their approach to design and their signature use of materials transformed the face of Christchurch in 60s and 70s, and influenced their architectural peers throughout New Zealand.

Within a short decade Christchurch was to shrug off its reputation for somewhat stuffy Georgian and neo-gothic architecture for a distinctive ‘brutalist’ style that was bold, modern and often controversial.

Then in 2011, almost the entire built legacy of Warren and Mahoney was destroyed. Among the buildings which suffered major damage was the Christchurch Town Hall, regarded by many, including the architects themselves, as their finest work. Internationally renowned for its elegant, brutalist form and sophisticated interiors, the Christchurch Town Hall revolutionised the design approach to performance spaces and acoustic engineering.

As the Christchurch Town Hall’s fate hangs in the balance, Sir Miles Warren and Maurice Mahoney reflect on their remarkable partnership.

Maurice & I combines rare archival footage alongside exclusive interviews with Sir Miles and Maurice Mahoney, including their final interview together.

We almost lost the Town Hall in Christchurch’s rebuild. Let’s make sure we preserve the legacy and give these two remarkable architects a platform to tell their story.

OUR GOAL

We're gathering lovers of modernism and Christchurch to make this film happen.

The film will premiere in Christchurch in May ’24 before headlining the Resene Architectural Film Festival '24.

Its New Zealand screenings will be followed by an international release through the Architectural Film festival circuit, and a local release through independent cinemas.

THE FILMMAKERS

Rick Harvie – co director/producer

Rick founded Belmont Productions in 2000.

Over the past 23 years he has produced and directed a variety of broadcast and corporate documentaries, commercials and music videos - most notably  Resume Play ‘14,  A Place to Remember ’16 and Len Lye: Mater of Motion ’23.

Rick is driven by a keen interest in the human condition, combining his passion for storytelling with a strong interest in the visual and performing arts, music and architecture. 

Jane Mahoney – co director/producer

Jane has spent almost two decades working in ‘story-telling’ industries.

For twelve years she was producer and co-owner of Bannan Films, a production company specialising in cinematic, story-based TV commercials. Over that time she was fortunate to work alongside some of the most talented creatives and technicians in Australasia and Asia.

In 2018 she directed and co-produced the short film What Logan Did, part of the Loading Docs initiative.