Synopsis

This feature documentary follows the wild ride of Michael Gudinski over five decades as he forges his own maverick path consumed by his ambition and enduring passion for Australian music. Michael Gudinski was a music man, impresario, and natural born hustler. He repeatedly risked everything for his one obsession: Australian music. At age 19 he launched Mushroom Records and went on to sign and nurture iconic artists including Skyhooks, Split Enz, Jimmy Barnes, Paul Kelly, Hunters & Collectors, Kylie Minogue, Archie Roach and Yothu Yindi. Not content with just a label, his hunger extended to being on the road promoting legendary international acts such as Foo Fighters, Ed Sheeran, Bruce Springsteen, and Sting. There’s barely a living Australian whose life hasn’t been touched by the music he was behind. This shy son of immigrant Jewish parents from Melbourne became an audacious international player and Australian household name. Famed for his eccentricities and boldness, the film dives into the psyche and unorthodox tactics of Michael as he became the frontman of a cultural movement and built a music empire whose artists helped create the soundtrack of a nation. It goes to show a little confidence can go a long way. Helmed by acclaimed feature film, documentary and music video director Paul Goldman and produced by Bethany Jones for Mushroom Studios, the film features personal accounts from Gudinski himself, exclusive interviews with the some of the world's most influential artists, rare archival footage and an electrifying soundtrack.