Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Much more than a Michael Jackson impersonator

Late last year I had some emails & blogger interactions with Lucas of The Sham, about Richard Blackie, a Michael Jackson impersonator who ran a toyshop in Petersham until he died. Lucas wrote about Richard's death, then his funeral, here and here. Nobody seems to know what happened to Richard's dogs, and I wondered if one of them was Dero Dog (see links in my sidebar). Anyway, a film has been made about this remarkable character and it's showing tomorrow night. Sadly I can't go as I'm teaching, but I'll see it some other time. If you're interested, the Mu-Meson Archives venue is on the corner of Parramatta Rd & Trafalgar St Annandale at the end of the King Furniture building, up the steel staircase. Phone 9517-2010.
Thursday 30th August

Directors Cut: Maya Newell -
RICHARD The Most Interestingest Person I've Ever Met

A stark, bittersweet, and, at times, humorous portrait of Richard Blackie - consummate eccentric, toy collector and former Michael Jackson impersonator - whose public obsessions and private torments are laid bare in this devastating portrayal of the last few months of his life. Seventeen year-old filmmaker, Maya Newell, enters the inner sanctum of Richard Blackie's extraordinary, utterly bizarre toyshop. Striking up a curious relationship with the 41-year-old toy dealer, collector and ex-Michael Jackson impersonator, Maya is given permission to document the life of this most private of private characters, and the obsessions that drive him. Maya will be live in the Archives to present her film and answerer questions about the production.

Location Mu-Meson Archives
Time Doors 7.30 for 8pm start
Cost $10 with supper

4 comments:

R.H. said...

My theory on what schizophrenia is will rattle psychiatry. Truly. Meanwhile my treatment for it is belligerence, humour, and a headlock. And I'm cheap, a few one and two-dollar coins from the Royal Treasury (top draw bedside cabinet) -plus salad rolls, etc, from the local latte shop -are my modest fee for these services.
Madness needs a performance, more rowdy and bizarre than its own, psychiatry is rubbish.
Glen Iris is rubbish: social workers administer punishment; a typed schedule for what day to dust, vacuum, and do your washing is utter bullshit. Not everyone is like you, dears.

Thanks for posting this. The number of people at a funeral means nothing. I haven't been to many funerals, but they've all been little funerals, for the most interesting people I've known.

Pants said...

Hi Meredith

He sounds so great. I wish I could be there to see this film.

xxx

Pants

R.H. said...

I've tried being concilatory, but it's poorly received. People want demons.

Ampersand Duck said...

wow, what a ride that set of links turned out to be. How sad that he spent so long unclaimed in the morgue. And how amazing if Dero Dog turned out to be his!