Flirt (1995 film)

Flirt is a 1995 independent film directed and written by Hal Hartley. The film is notable for its unique structure: it presents the same story three times, each time set in a different city (New York City, Berlin, and Tokyo) and featuring different actors and languages. While the basic narrative and some dialogue are consistent across the three segments, the cultural contexts and the specific relationships between the characters vary, leading to distinct interpretations of the core themes.

The story revolves around a love triangle and the complexities of romantic relationships. Each segment features characters who are in, or on the verge of being in, committed relationships, but are drawn to someone else. The film explores themes of infidelity, temptation, cultural differences in relationships, and the difficulty of making choices in love.

The New York segment stars Bill Sage, Dwight Ewell, and Parker Posey. The Berlin segment stars Martin Donovan, Miho Nikaido, and Hal Hartley regular Sabrina Lloyd. The Tokyo segment features Miho Nikaido (reprising her role from the Berlin segment), Gena Rowlands, and Toshiyuki Kitami.

Flirt is considered part of Hartley's distinctive body of work, known for its stylized dialogue, deadpan humor, and exploration of existential themes within contemporary relationships. The film's experimental structure and focus on character-driven narratives have garnered it critical attention and a following among independent film enthusiasts.