'In the 1980s and ‘90s, Michael Hutchence was flying high and topping the charts as the lead singer of the hugely successful Australian rock band INXS. There was, however, a darkness that always hovered behind the spotlight. Hutchence, a man who saw rock and roll as “liberation,” was a natural performer who channeled his unique brand of exuberant vocals and charismatic sex appeal onto the stage until his untimely death at the age of 37.
'Through a treasure trove of rarely seen archival footage and insights from those closest to Hutchence, director Richard Lowenstein creates a documentary that is both kinetic and intimate, delving into the singer’s complicated upbringing, his rise to fame, the devoted love affairs with women such as Helena Christensen, Kylie Minogue, and Paula Yates, a growing drug problem, the traumatic brain injury that changed the course of his life, and his never-ending struggle to make peace with himself.'
Source: Tribeca Film Festival.
'In 1986, director Richard Lowenstein made a terrific movie about the lives of young people living in the Melbourne suburb of Richmond. Sam, the principal character in Dogs in Space, was played by the lead singer of INXS, Michael Hutchence, and he gave a flawless, immensely charismatic performance in the role. Oddly enough, Lowenstein’s excellent new documentary on his friend, Mystify, doesn’t mention Dogs in Space at all, and nor does it touch on Hutchence’s qualities as an actor. Apart from that rather curious omission, Mystify is a detailed and revealing portrait of a gifted musician whose apparently charmed life ended tragically.' (Introduction)
'The article reports that filmmaker Richard Lowenstein states that musician Bono's confession got Lowenstein thinking about the "dilemma" of fame, and particularly about how it might have affected the two men's late singer Michael Hutchence. It cites a report that concluded that Hutchence had committed suicide, but a persistent rumour took hold that he had died as the result of a sex game gone wrong.' (Publication abstract)
'The article reports that filmmaker Richard Lowenstein states that musician Bono's confession got Lowenstein thinking about the "dilemma" of fame, and particularly about how it might have affected the two men's late singer Michael Hutchence. It cites a report that concluded that Hutchence had committed suicide, but a persistent rumour took hold that he had died as the result of a sex game gone wrong.' (Publication abstract)
'In 1986, director Richard Lowenstein made a terrific movie about the lives of young people living in the Melbourne suburb of Richmond. Sam, the principal character in Dogs in Space, was played by the lead singer of INXS, Michael Hutchence, and he gave a flawless, immensely charismatic performance in the role. Oddly enough, Lowenstein’s excellent new documentary on his friend, Mystify, doesn’t mention Dogs in Space at all, and nor does it touch on Hutchence’s qualities as an actor. Apart from that rather curious omission, Mystify is a detailed and revealing portrait of a gifted musician whose apparently charmed life ended tragically.' (Introduction)
