Mutiny in Heaven: The Birthday Party Documentary Releases First Film Excerpt

Executive Produced by Wim Wenders

Screenings Across the United States Commence September 1st, Coinciding with Nick Cave's North American Tour

August 29, 2023 — Mutiny in Heaven: The Birthday Party is the first authorized retelling of Nick Cave’s The Birthday Party by members of the band. Through irreverent animation and never before seen raw live footage from the band’s personal archives, the film captures the band’s twisted psychological and physical self-destruction, and the viewer has a front-row seat to the detonation. It is a twisted tale of the epic struggle of musicians who honed their distinctive sound amidst countless live shows while conjuring a spell of menace and violence until it destroyed the band. Directed by Ian White and executive produced by The Birthday Party's Mick Harvey and long-time friend of the band Wim Wenders, Mutiny In Heaven features first-hand accounts from Nick Cave, Mick Harvey, Rowland S. Howard and Phill Calvert as they take you through the band’s ascent, apex and inevitable collapse. Read more on Rolling Stone.

Today, the first excerpt of the documentary has been released. Titled "A Monstrous Beast Live," the clip embodies the rebellious and gritty energy that The Birthday Party unleashed on stage. The documentary makes its U.S. debut on September 1st to coincide with Nick Cave's North American tour and will run in over 55 screenings across 45 cities from September to October, and will be available on VOD across the US later this year.

Watch the clip HERE

And watch the film’s trailer HERE

"We really stumbled onto something completely unique, and it was just f****g crazy." 

—Nick Cave on The Birthday Party.

Emerging from the vibrant late 70s and early 80s post-punk scene, The Birthday Party holds a distinct place in history as the most violent live band of that era. The film offers a unique glimpse into the band's journey, plunging headfirst into their musical transformation over a ten-year period. Originally emerging from Melbourne before setting their sights on London and then Berlin, their trademark was an enigmatic stage presence pulsating with unfiltered emotion and untamed intensity. However, behind the scenes, internal conflicts brewed, eventually leading to a shattered disbandment.

While The Birthday Party only released a few albums in its brief run, the indelible impact of the band resonates to this day, influencing modern musical icons such as Henry Rollins of Black Flag, My Bloody Valentine, Dinosaur Jr. (J Mascis has called them out as his “favorite band), Sonic Youth, and LCD Soundsystem among others.

Director Ian White has helmed theatrical features and broadcast content in over 15 countries, receiving a number of awards along the way. As a former music industry art director, he worked with a diverse range of acts from Kylie Minogue to The Butthole Surfers. Having witnessed The Birthday Party perform live in its heyday, he had no hesitation when the band approached him to direct this project. 

Band member Mick Harvey serves as both Executive Producer and Music Supervisor, while Wim Wenders, a long-term friend of the band, also acts as an Executive Producer. Additionally, the list of Executive Producers includes Bill Lord, Michael Murphy, Stuart Souter, and Jenny O’Shea. The role of producers is fulfilled by Greg Blakey and Ian White.

Cargo Film & Releasing has acquired global rights to the film excluding Australia and New Zealand and is managing the film’s theatrical and VOD release in North America to coincide with a Nick Cave tour in the US. The Birthday Party: Mutiny In Heaven will join Cargo’s diverse lineup of premium documentary content which includes films Ruben Blades Is Not My Name, Satan & Adam, Academy Award-shortlisted film Hidden Letters the Emmy nominated film The Conductor.

Documentary Screening Dates:

9/1-9/10: Gainesville, FL

9/10: Asheville NC 

9/15-9/21: Durham NC 

9/14 & 9/18: Winston Salem, NC 

9/16-9/17: Cary NC

9/15-9/23: Vancouver, Canada 

9/21 & 9/25: Silver Springs, MD

9/22-9/24: Pittsburgh, PA

9/22-9/28: New Orleans, LA

9/22: Cleveland, OH

9/22: Kansas City

9/23-9/24: Portland, OR

9/24: Chicago IL 

9/27: Jacksonville, FL

9/28: Minneapolis, MN

9/29: Chicago, IL

9/29-10/1: Vancouver, WA

9/29-10/1: Columbus, OH

10/1-10/3: Downtown Manhattan, NY (DCTV FIREHOUSE)

10/4: Brooklyn, NY (Nitehawk)

10/3-10/5: Cambridge, MA

10/4: Montreal, QC

10/5: Toronto, ON

10/6: Schenectady, NY

10/6: Brooklyn, NY

10/7-10/8: New York, NY

10/9: Washington, D.C.

10/9: Dallas, TX

10/9: Fairfax, VA

10/9: La Mesa, CA

10/11: Philadelphia, PA

10/12: Detroit, MI

10/13: Portland, ME 

10/13: Atlanta GA

10/13: Portland, ME

10/16: Maitland, FL

10/18: Dallas, TX

10/18: Milwaukee, WI

10/18: San Francisco, CA 

10/19 & 10/26: Rochester, MN

10/20: Larkspur (Bay Area), CA

10/20: Los Angeles, CA

10/20: Santa Ana, CA

10/23: Austin, TX

10/27-10/29: Los Angeles (Alamo Theater) 

Date TBD: Seattle, WA

About Ian White: 

Ian White is an award-winning, internationally recognised filmmaker. His work has received numerous awards over the years, including a BANF World Media Award for best documentary of the year, several Asian TV awards and a Hero Award at the 2018 Monte Carlo TVFF. His 2015 feature, 'BEFORE THE FALL,' was an official entry in the 89th Academy Awards 2017. He has directed and produced theatrical feature films and network television content in over 15 countries throughout the world. His work has been described as visually striking and immensely thought-provoking. Regularly commissioned by the United Nations to produce documentary work, his most powerful films have been mentioned in UN security council meetings. His journeys have taken him through combat zones, refugee camps and some of the most isolated areas on the planet. He has filmed alongside bomb disposal squads, mine clearance teams and medical units in both remote and hostile environments. Ian White began his career as a graphic designer for Smash Hits magazine in Australia. He went on to become art director for record labels Mushroom and Polydor, where he was nominated five times for ARIA awards and was published in the prestigious international design annual Graphis.

https://shorefire.com/roster/mutiny-in-heaven-the-birthday-party

https://www.birthdaypartymovie.com/

For more information please contact Casey Hansen and Matt Hanks at Shore Fire Media.