Press release
Film Art Media is pleased to announce a new biographical documentary on the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG written and directed by Daryl Dellora and produced by Sue Maslin.
Filmed during and after his time on the High Court of Australia, the documentary explores the personal, moral and spiritual convictions of one of our most compassionate and incisive legal minds. It reveals the fascinating story of Michael Kirby’s path to the law and his unrelenting commitment to human rights and justice under the law. The film also traverses the captivating territory of his unique family and his enduring relationship with Johan van Vloten.
The film premiere, hosted by the NSW Attorney General, the Hon John Hatzistergos, took place on Thursday 29 April at the NSW Parliament Theatrette. In the film Michael Kirby, who is listed by the Bulletin as one of the top ten creative minds and in the top hundred of the most influential Australians of all time, speaks candidly and with insight and humour.
The documentary will be publicly launched as part of the 2010 Law Week celebrations. The Law Society of NSW will host the Sydney screening at Customs House on 20 May. The Melbourne screening will be co-hosted by the Victoria Law School, Victoria University, and Victoria Law Foundation at the State Library of Victoria on 21 May. Director Daryl Dellora will be present at both events alongside Michael Kirby to reflect on his extraordinary life experiences. Producer Sue Maslin will be at the Melbourne launch.
The film was financed by Screen Australia, Film Victoria and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and is the first documentary to be made about one of Australia’s most influential judicial figures. The documentary will have its television premiere on the ABC1 Compass program to coincide with the DVD release on Sunday 27 June. The DVD contains special features including close to an hour of extra interview material where Michael shares his insight on cases relating to terrorism laws and international human rights law.
The DVD will be available for purchase from the LexisNexis Book Store: www.lexisnexis.com/store/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=relatedProducts&prodId=prod12612604
As well as from the Film Art Media website: www.filmartmedia.com