Director: Rhian Skirving

Runtime: 89 mins

Lovers of arthouse cinema who may have recently despaired at the news that Dendy George St will soon be closing, should take heart on hearing that Palace Barracks Cinemas will soon be opening in the next few weeks, and also that the Schonell cinemas at the University of Queensland has re-opened for limited weekend screenings of films that otherwise might not have been shown in Brisbane. Upcoming exclusive films include the documentary Celebrity: Dominick Dunne, Francis Ford Coppola’s Youth Without Youth, and as an example of Schonell staff’s whimsical nature, last week’s celebration of Halloween, which featured a late night screening of Poltergeist – one of the scariest films of the eighties, spawning a generation’s fear of clowns – was followed by a ghost tour of the cinema. Apparently, the Schonell is haunted by a spirit called “Sophear” – for more information, speak with staff at the candy bar.

One recent highlight – the first exclusive screening – was Rock N Roll Nerd, a documentary that charts the rise and rise of one of Australia’s more interesting musical geeks, Tim Minchin. Over a three-year period, filmmaker Rhian Skirving had what seems to be unlimited access to Minchin’s life, and her documentary takes an intimate look at Minchin as he reinvents himself from an obscure cabaret pianist and member of a cover band, to his very positive reception at the Edinburgh Festival, and a successful stint in London’s West End.

Until recently, Minchin sat at the edge of my cultural radar as one of those weird, diminutive little geeks with wild, mascara’d eyes. I didn’t know much more about the man, so when I saw grainy footage of a cabaret performance in a grungy Melbourne club, it was difficult to resolve this chubby, curly- headed comic singer with my current understanding of the artist.

The thrust of Skirving’s documentary is Minchin’s very single-minded reinvention of himself. Like some short, ginger-headed, slightly overweight version of Madonna, Minchin sets about straightening hair and teeth, jooshing his wardrobe, and constructing an elaborate onstage persona. The result, which won awards and an invite to Edinburgh, justifies decades of hard work and dedication.

I must admit I was a little concerned as the documentary started – what, with cheesy intertitles, and a very homey feel. But as we comes to know Minchin, his charming wife, and the people around him, Rock N Roll Nerd takes on a genuine feel of one of those ‘dags-to-riches’ success stories.

[For more details of upcoming programmes at the Schonell, check www.uqunion.uq.edu.au]

***½

TIM MILFULL

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