“Mystify”, a new documentary about INXS singer Michael Hutchence, is coming to US theaters for a one-night screening event on January 7.
Written and Directed by Richard Lowenstein, the project is billed as “a powerfully intimate and insightful portrait of the internationally renowned INXS frontman,” who died in a Sydney hotel room in 1997 at the age of 37.
“Mystify” takes viewers on a journey through the rocker’s all-too-short life, as documented through an archive of his home movies.
Hutchence first teamed up with multi-instrumentalist Andrew Farriss in high school before INXS would officially form in Sydney in 1977; the group’s self-titled debut album arrived in 1980, earning them chart status in their home country while gaining fans with their live performances.
INXS’ international profile increased with the release of 1982’s “Shabooh Shoobah”, as the set’s lead single, “The One Thing”, hit the US charts and was supported by a video that earned regular airplay on the then-new MTV network.
A string of hit singles and albums peaked with 1987’s “Kick”, which delivered the band four US Top 10 hits: "Need You Tonight", "Devil Inside", "New Sensation" and "Never Tear Us Apart."
In the same month in 1992 that INXS issued their eighth studio record, “Welcome To Wherever Your Are”, Hutchence had his skull fractured in an incident with a taxi driver in Copenhagen, Denmark that bandmates said changed him irrevocably as he dealt with depression and outbursts of aggression towards others.
“Made vulnerable, he is unable to navigate the complex challenges he faces moving forward and he has little defence against the onslaught of tabloid press that descends upon his world,” reads the “Mystify” synopsis. “Amidst the encroaching darkness, Michael’s new-born daughter, Tiger, becomes his one bright light.”
With worldwide sales of 60 million records, INXS were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2001.
Tickets for the January 7 screening of “Mystify” in US theaters will go on sale November 8; for full details, visit fathomevents.com.
See also:
INXS team with producer Giles Martin for legacy projects and reissues
INXS: Michael Hutchence documentary in the works
INXS guitarist severs finger
INXS continue to top Aussie charts
Search INXS at hennemusic
