Celebrate the wit and wisdom of one of Australia and New Zealand’s most iconic satirists at our special Q&A screenings of But Also John Clarke. This intimately powerful documentary honours the extraordinary life and career of John Clarke - the beloved comedian, writer, and social commentator whose sharp humour and cultural insights made him a national treasure.
Following the screening, join us for an in-person Q&A with the film’s director, Lorin Clarke, as she reflects on her father’s legacy and the making of this moving portrait.
When satirist John Clarke died in 2017, the world mourned an icon. A defining comedic voice who wrote and appeared in numerous films and TV productions, and who – in a beloved double act with Bryan Dawe – skewered political hypocrisy for almost 30 years on current affairs shows, he gave away very little about his own life. At home, by contrast, he was an open book. In a remarkable series of recorded conversations between John and his daughter, writer/director Lorin Clarke, he traces his steadfast resistance to authority back to his childhood and offers delightful insights into his four decades in the entertainment industry.
Weaving together personal anecdotes, a rich television archive, tales from international comedy greats and riches from more than 200 boxes of Clarke’s work and letters, this MIFF Premiere Fund–supported documentary is a deeply personal insight into a legend of the antipodean screen, and a tribute to the disruptive power of creativity.
