Dogs in Space

[darren_stranger]

Some random thoughts, to add to those posted by others:

- i had thought it would be a packed house, with a film appealing to three generations worth of punks, goths and hippies, as well as Michael Hutchence fans and film buffs alike. i wasn't wrong. Glad we didn't get there any later. The long wait was made enjoyable with the soundtrack playing throughout the theatre.

- Before the movie, we were shown a short film called 'Mick' from the '70s (which i'd also seen in high school for some reason) mainly about bogans getting tatts and going out poofter-bashing. Seemed an odd choice to include at the time, but when Dogs in Space started, it clicked into place as a perfect intro to the film, both as a mood-setter and an echo of some of the elements of the story.

- Finally i got to see Dogs in Space on the big screen. i was looking forward to experiencing the spectacle on a large scale with rumbling stereo sound, but i hadn't expected the other difference seeing it in widescreen made. So many things i'd never seen before on a tv-sized picture (eg i'd never seen Marie Hoy sitting behind that drumkit with Thrush and the C**ts - always wondered where she was). i can't wait for the DVD to come out in widescreen to see what else i've missed.

- The Q&A session after the film with Richard Lowenstein and co was quite eye-opening. i knew the film was based more or less on real events, but what i didn't know was that pretty much everything in the film was based on something that happened in the day. Rather than a structured and developing plot, the whole thing always seemed like a collection of anectdotes and memories, just the way we remember things in real life. Things just happen, then other things happen, just like real life. It makes perfect sense to find out that's exactly what it is - anectodtes and memories shoved into a script and recreated painstakingly on film. No wonder it rings true for so many people.

- Seeing footage of Sam Sejavka interviewing Michael Hutchence and being interviewed himself was interesting. i'd never really thought Michael's performance was believable, perhaps because of his lack of acting experience, but seeing the real Sammy so soon after watching the film i could see the resemblances in mannerisms and voice etc (Sam and Michael were apparently already friends before the film). Watching a film clip of the real band, in the real house, was quite eerie too, after finding out that all of the characters in the film were based on (and one played by) the real people.

- Some drinks and a bite to eat afterwards with some good company was a great way to cap off the evening. Sitting at some cafe/bar at Federation Square, looking at the neon lights over Young & Jacksons, i got the distinct feeling i was in some foreign city, or a tourist seeing Melbourne for the first time. i love it when my mind falls into that holiday mode without even trying.

Can't think what else - might add more later.

Comments

[gothsuck.livejournal.com]

Cool where was Dogs in Space playing? That would've been sweet.

[horngirl.livejournal.com]

The scariest thing I found about that short film at the beginning was that the father's accent, and mannerisms, were identical to my grandfather's. To the point where I was saying to myself - 'no, that kid can't be my father, Dad doesn't have any tattoos.'

I guess he either came from the same part of Hungary or learnt English at the same time as my grandfather (high chance, as there were many refugees that came out around the same time).

[missmalice.livejournal.com]

oh man..yet another thing to add to the list of 'reasons why malice shouldve moved back to melbourne a few weeks earlier'

Sounds like I missed a great event.

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

It was on at the ACMI theatre in Fed Square, part of a series of Australian 'counter culture' films (which i think is just about over). i only found out about it through LJ via Andricongirl. Must remember to re-post these things so more people see them.

[andricongirl.livejournal.com]

yes strange just how much was based on real life events. and after seeing Sam in the interview things, it seems Micheal was a lot like him, and was propally the best choice for the role.

oh do you know if the pub they filmed in was a real place as well?

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

They name the pub as the Champion, which could be the one diagonally opposite the Rob Roy that's now another block of apartments. Don't know for sure.