Mutiny In Heaven: The Birthday Party Sydney Premiere

Following its World Premiere at MIFF in Melbourne recently, Mutiny In Heaven now gets its Sydney Premiere. Directed by Ian White (Before the Fall, Junkie Monastery), this visceral documentary is the story of pioneering Australian band,  The Birthday Party.

Led by a young and unruly Nick Cave, the band’s threatening live shows and shock-inducing songs were propelled by the internal-organ-shifting bass of Tracy Pew and the utterly unique guitar sounds of songwriter/guitarist Roland S. Howard and guitarist-turned-drummer Mick Harvey. The film follows their ascent, apex and inevitable collapse and is a thrilling tale of epic struggle, artistic genius and total dysfunctionality. Told in the group’s own words, Mutiny In Heaven brings the band’s story to the screen for the first time.

This twisted tale of a bunch of Melbourne misfit musicians mutating from The Boys Next Door into a band whose shows were too wild for New York audiences (where concerts were shut down minutes after starting). Hurtling towards the band's inevitable implosion, the films deals with issues of creativity, addiction, fame, interpersonal conflict and the unique relationship between creative vision and self-destruction. Underpinned by the dark, wry humour of the individual band members, the film utilises exclusive, incredibly candid interviews, a wealth of rare and unseen archives, original animations/artwork, unreleased tracks, studio footage and multimedia content. It’s as rich as it is narratively riveting; a revealing look back at its key members’ origins, dreams, hopes and motivations.

Plus very special guests on the night: Director IAN WHITE, Birthday Party members MICK HARVEY & PHILL CALVERT and author MARK MORDUE.

Watch the Trailer | More Info |