The Trailer For The Long-Awaited Michael Hutchence Doco Is Inspiring And Heartbreaking

In the 22 years since his passing, Michael Hutchence has remained one of the most admired pop musicians of the 21st century.

The frontman of INXS, responsible for writing and performing some of the biggest singles in Australian history, still inspires a legion of imitators. Indeed, his fanbase is only growing — his cult of most famous adulators includes everybody from dark prince Nick Cave to indie marvel Courtney Barnett to newly-appointed leader of the opposition party, Anthony Albanese.

Now, Hutchence has been honoured with a heartbreaking — and yet deeply inspiring — new documentary, titled Mystify: Michael Hutchence, which is set to debut in Australia as part of the Sydney Film Festival. Filled with interviews from Hutchence’s nearest and dearest, including his sister and bandmates, the film follows him from his childhood, up through INXS’ boom, and right up till his tragic death.

The documentary is helmed by Richard Lowenstein, who is no stranger to the INXS story. Lowenstein directed a number of the band’s music videos, including the clips for ‘Never Tear Us Apart’, ‘What You Need’ and ‘The Gift’, not to mention the feature film Dogs In Space, in which Hutchence stars as a drug-addled musician.

That Lowenstein is so close to the story gives the documentary its deeply personal, intimate feel, and also explains the appearance of a number of key players in the INXS story, talking with more candour than they ever have before.

For that reason, Mystify is attracting praise from Hutchence die-hards and newcomers alike: Birth. Movies. Death called it “honest and often heartbreaking”, while Screen Daily called it a “stand-out” of the Tribecca film festival.

You can decide for yourself whether Mystify lives up to that hype when it hits Australian cinemas on July 4. Or you can get an early peek as part of the Sydney Film Festival — the documentary plays this Thursday June 6 and Friday June 7.