Robert Hunter died a pioneer of a musical genre, young father, digital communicator, ex drug and alcohol abuser and ultimately a terminal cancer patient. At 35 his time on this earth was in danger of being cruelly cut short.
With a digital camera in hand, for Hunter cancer would become the lens through which life suddenly came sharply into focus. A year after his passing Periscope Pictures release Hunter: For The Record, a documentary journey that takes us deep into the psyche of an Australian sub-culture, and into the mind of one its greatest pioneers.
The ‘largest ever crowd-funded project in WA,’ the documentary team at Periscope Pictures raised $20,000 from the Australian Hip Hop community to complete the film, the overwhelming support and goodwill towards the film a testament to Hunter’s lasting legacy upon the Australian music industry and his fans. The first Hip Hop artist to be inducted into the prestigious WAMi Hall of Fame (2012) and a founding member of Perth’s seminal Syllabolix Crew (SBX). Hunter was instrumental in starting an underground scene, which became a multimillion dollar industry.
“The fans believed it was a film that had to be made and gave us the push we needed to keep going, even when the usual funding options were exhausted. To be able to turn that modest budget into a feature documentary and give that back to them is a great feeling,” says Director Sam Field.
Never one to retreat from a battle, Hunter co-opted the digital tools at his disposal to broadcast his physical, emotional and musical journey with a brutal honesty. For Hunter the clarity and fulfilment he found through sobriety enabled him – despite incredible adversity – to do what many of us struggle to do in our normal lives: make the most of each day.
“Made up largely from gripping footage shot by Hunter himself, the film is a rich and inspirational journey. The brilliant sound track and hilarious moments are just a bonus,” says Producer Alice Ross.
Hunter: For The Record features interviews with Australian Hip Hop royalty including the Hilltop Hoods, Drapht, Urthboy, Optamus and Dazastah (Downsyde) and previously unseen interviews and live-footage of Robert Hunter.
Hunter: For The Record is a raw tale of redemption and fatherhood, of musical fanaticism and courage in the face of adversity. While it was Robert Hunter’s avid fans who made the film Western Australia’s biggest ever crowd funded documentary, the film’s universal human themes speak to us all.
Hunter: For The Record
Public Screenings:
Melbourne: Saturday October 27, 4pm. Australian Centre of Moving Image (ACMI) – WORLD PREMIERE – Tickets
Perth: Thursday November 1, 7pm. Luna Palace Cinemas Leederville – Tickets.
Event Includes: Q&A with Alice Ross and Kai McGuiness (Producers), Optamus (Downsyde), DJ Defyre and Bias B. Special presentation of Hunter’s music.
*Bias B – Melbourne Only
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