The much anticipated ‘MYSTIFY Michael Hutchence’ arrives straight from its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York and Hot Docs Toronto where it received an overwhelming response with sold out sessions and rave reviews.

“What lifts it above the majority of documentaries about celebrities and artists is its extraordinary intimacy… more than worthy tribute” - SCREEN DAILY

”Powerful… unexpectedly intimate” - VARIETY

“MYSTIFY is proof that Hutchence was, and is, much loved” – VOGUE

Ahead of its national release on 4 July, audiences will have the chance to preview this acclaimed film at the Sydney Film Festival, which will host the Australian premiere of ‘MYSTIFY Michael Hutchence’ on June 6 at the State Theatre followed by a second screening on June 7 at Event Cinemas George St.

For Melbourne premiere audiences the first chance to see the film will be at a special screening at The Astor on June 8 and IMAX on June 12. The film will have its Perth premiere at Luna Leederville on June 12.

‘MYSTIFY Michael Hutchence’ is a powerfully intimate and insightful portrait of the internationally renowned frontman of INXS, Michael Hutchence. Deftly woven from an extraordinary archive of rich imagery, Michael’s private home movies and those of his lovers, friends, and family, the film delves beneath the public persona of the charismatic ‘Rock God’ and transports us through the looking glass to reveal a multifaceted, intensely sensitive and complex man. For an all too brief time, we revel in Michael’s Dionysian beauty and sensuality on stage and off. We listen to the range of his extraordinary voice and witness the charmed way he travels through life as he is propelled to world acclaim.

 

But Michael struggled with the idea of success, the creative limits of pop stardom and how to express his integrity; a longing that shaped his life and music and gave birth to a desire to go far beyond the constraints of pop.

A violent event strikes Michael and changes his life dramatically, fracturing his sense of self and robbing him of his connection to life. Made vulnerable, he is unable to navigate the complex challenges he faces, and has little defence against the onslaught of the tabloid press that descend on his world. Amidst the darkness, Michael’s newborn daughter, Tiger, becomes his one bright light.

Director and writer Richard Lowenstein (Strikebound, Dogs in Space, He Died With A Felafel In His Hand) will participate in Q&As at the Sydney & Melbourne screenings.

‘MYSTIFY Michael Hutchence’ is distributed by Madman Entertainment. Paul Wiegard (Managing Director) states, “the stellar reviews from Tribeca have further fuelled our ambitious plans for MYSTIFY. The film is fresh, cinematic and will play on wide release from July 4th. We want audiences across the country to rediscover Michael Hutchence.”.

‘MYSTIFY Michael Hutchence’ was produced with the assistance of Screen Australia, the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Film Victoria.

MYSTIFY Michael Hutchence is in cinemas from July 4.