The youthful indiscretions of The Birthday Party, that tumultuous post-punk troupe of the late 70s and early comprised of Nick Cave, Rowland S Howard, Mick Harvey, Tracy Pew, and Phil Calvert, is now the scandal of the silver screen.
Set to make a splash in North American cinemas this autumn, “Mutiny in Heaven,” wryly helmed by Ian White and produced by Mick Harvey and Wim Wenders, unravels six years of poetic chaos. In the documentary, we are treated to a decadent dissection of a band’s mind, wherein Nick Cave and his youthful comrades shocked polite society to its very core. Their theatrics, those guttural shrieks, a macabre dance of gothic horrors, and an utterly unruly way of life, make one wonder – was it art, madness, or an explosive cocktail of both?
From their earnest beginnings as The Boys Next Door in far-flung Melbourne, to their notorious escapades in London’s underbelly, culminating, predictably, in disbandment, this documentary does a splendid job at bottling both the fleeting moment and the now-matured musings of the band. The film generously bestows upon us clandestine footage, whimsical flights of animation, and concert snippets that are thoroughly gasp-worthy.
Expect candid tête-a-têtes with Cave and the gang, though Howard, regrettably lost to us since 2009, speaks only in memories. Sprinkle in a handful of rare spectacles, snapshots, and voilà — an unforgettable affair of celluloid infamy.
Here’s the official synopsis for the Documentary:
Narrated exclusively by the original band members, Mutiny in Heaven delves deep into a band’s psyche, chronicling how Nick Cave and his school friends startled audiences with their confrontational performances, primal screams, outlaw gothic horror, and anarchic lifestyle. Featuring never-before-seen personal footage from band members, dynamic animation sequences, and jaw-dropping concert clips, the film provides a sweaty, electrifying front-row seat to one of the most legendary live acts. It’s destined to be an instant documentary classic. The film is the first fully authorized telling of The Birthday Party.
Watch the trailer and a clip from Mutiny In Heaven:
As fortune—or perhaps crafty planning—would have it, the documentary traipses around the US just as Nick flits about on his solo and book tour. The film’s itinerary in North American cinemas kicks off in the charming climes of Gainesville, FL. Screenings will continue throughout October, with the film descending upon Los Angeles just in time for Halloween. Release the bats!
Screening dates:
Date TBD: Seattle, WA
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