Reviewed by Alexander Bisley

“I AIN’T Jo Bloggs window washer. I’m hardcore.” Squeegee Bandit documents Starfish, aka Kevin Whana, a colourful window washer working the cars on South Auckland’s streets. Empathetically and imaginatively directed by Sándor Lau (Behaviours of the Backpacker), the documentary charts a year of Starfish’s fiery life. He’s a Taranaki Maori, a descendent of the formidable warrior chief Titokowaru (whose “I shall not die” speech was recorded in River Queen) and son of a 28th Battalion soldier. Lau contextualises Starfish’s demons with his tough life, including colonisation’s collateral damage. He was adopted out as a child and bullied by his foster mother, forced to wear soiled underwear on his head in front of his friends.

Starfish has his difficulties: alcohol and drugs, a violent temper, the police (who frown on window washing), his kids “dumping” him, and finding a place to live. There are funny and sad and strong moments. “She’s OK,” Starfish tenderly reflects on his prostitute girlfriend, (who later gets three years in The Big House for stabbing her mother in the head.) “How the fuck did this happen?” Starfish poignantly despairs at one point. But he maintains an appealing sense of humour and (generally) positive attitude. The doco is sometimes problematic, one interviewee is excessive in using the term “cultural genocide”.

“Free enterprise. That’s what capitalism is. A system of free enterprise.” Like The Corporation, Squeeze Bandit wittily employs old, black and white propaganda films Lau captures the zen of squeegee in black and white, occasionally colour – gold coins, a cop car – bleeds into the screen. Successfully aesthetically adventurous, Lau uses snazzy jump cuts. The action is augmented with music, from the raw, energetic hip-hop of Starfish’s mate MC Zodiac to reflective Nesian Mystik. Squeegee Bandit is an intense, engaging and touching work that confirms Lau as a talent to watch.

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