Kiwi photographer celebrates iconic films in mouth-watering photos

Ex-pat photographer Henry Hargreaves has created an internationally-acclaimed series re-imagining top film director's birthdays. / Getty, Henry Hargreaves and Nicole Heffron

A prominent New Zealand photographer has re-imagined how top film directors would celebrate their birthdays by creating party scenes packed with references to their hit films, and the Kiwi opened up to Scout about his unique images.

Kiwi Henry Hargreaves, who grew up in Christchurch but is now based in New York, spent a year creating the birthday set-ups alongside prop stylist Nicole Heffron.

Quentin Tarantino. / Henry Hargreaves and Nicole Heffrom
Each scene pays tribute to a particular director and iconic film, featuring a stylised cake and props from the movie.

George Lucas’ birthday is celebrated with pre-packaged Moon Pies and Star Wars memorabilia. A Mickey Mouse-shaped cake tin belongs to Walt Disney. A bear cake and can of beer references the birthday of Ted director Seth Macfarlane.

George Lucas. / Henry Hargreaves and Nicole Heffrom
Hargreaves explained he is “fascinated” by people’s meal orders, and what those orders say about someone’s character and personality.

Walt Disney. / Henry Hargreaves and Nicole Heffrom

The 36-year-old, who now calls Brooklyn home, told Scout there are foods he misses from home.
Thinking back to his childhood in Christchurch, Hargreaves says the school tuck shop is the epitome of New Zealand kai.
“Meat pie, those frozen juices and a cream filled doughnut roll with jam on it,” he reminisced.

Seth MacFarlane. / Henry Hargreaves and Nicole Heffrom
Fortunately for the photographer, his mother sends care packages which satisfies most of his Kiwi cravings.

“Mum always sends me chocolate fish and pineapple lumps. But I mostly miss the fresh produce, that actually tastes good!”

Stanley Kubrick. / Henry Hargreaves and Nicole Heffrom

This project is the latest collection of Hargreaves’ to make headlines overseas, after a photo series on the final meals of Death Row inmates went viral three years ago. 

John John Hughes. / Henry Hargreaves and Nicole Heffron