Mystify Michael Hutchence

Madman Entertainment have released the official trailer for Mystify Michael Hutchence ahead of its Australian premiere at Sydney Film Festival later this week and release at cinemas around Australia on July 4th.

The feature documentary, from acclaimed filmmaker Richard Lowenstein, uses extraordinary, never seen archival footage tapping into a trove of home videos, concert material, publicity interviews and recording sessions, alongside faithful insights from friends, lovers, family, colleagues and Michael Hutchence himself.

"I'm very excited that Mystify Michael Hutchence will have its Australian premiere at the amazing State Theatre in front of 2,000 people at the Sydney Film Festival," said filmmaker and longtime friend of Hutchence, Richard Lowenstein. "Michael would be over the moon at the dignity & respect that the Sydney Film Festival screening at this wonderful venue gives to this immersive portrayal of his life, talent and music. I would also like to thank all of the participants who agreed to take part in this unique feature documentary portrait and trusted me with their extremely personal footage, audio recordings, photographs and memories."

Tim Farriss & INXS members spoke after seeing the film at a private screening last week: "I saw MYSTIFY with Kirk Pengilly & brother Jon Farriss, an epic work by our old friend Richard Lowenstein who was such a huge part of our lives and very close to Michael. It was a very emotional ride, but Richard and his team handled it beautifully as only he really could and told us a bit of what to expect as we sat in the cinema before the lights went down. It's an enlightening story about Michael 'The Man' with all the complexities of a remarkable life & hopefully Michael can now finally rest in peace… To Richard, Lynn-Maree Milburn, Andrew de Groot & all involved, we thank you..."

Mystify Michael Hutchence is a powerfully intimate and insightful portrait of the internationally renowned INXS frontman, 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 randomly strikes Michael and changes his life forever, 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 moving forward and he has little defence against the onslaught of tabloid press that descends upon his world. Amidst the encroaching darkness, Michael's new-born daughter, Tiger, becomes his one bright light.

Richard Lowenstein directed the majority of both INXS and Michael's music videos and the 1986 feature film, Dogs in Space, in which Michael played the lead.

Tickets now on sale for preview screenings and Q&As with Richard Lowenstein June 6 - 24. Visit mystifyfilm.com.au for tickets.
Mystify Michael Hutchence will be in cinemas nationwide from July 4th.