MIFF presents music films about Tina Arena, The Shaggs and Marianne Faithfull
Lev Shevtsov30
August
2026
00:01
The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) has included documentaries about Australian singer Tina Arena, British artist Marianne Faithfull and American band The Shaggs in its Music On Film program. The program also featured a screening of Christopher Nolan’s film “Memento” with a new live musical score. The selection of films was reviewed by ABC News Australia.
The program also included the world premiere of the documentary “Jebediah: Are We OK?” about Perth alternative rock band Jebediah and a 25th-anniversary screening of Hedwig And The Angry Inch featuring its creator John Cameron Mitchell.
Tina Arena and The Shaggs
“Tina Arena: Unravel Me,” directed by Adrian Russell Wills, tells the story of the multi-decade career of the 58-year-old Australian singer. The film covers her transition from child star of the Young Talent Time television show to a solo career, as well as the success of the songs Chains, Sorrento Moon and Wasn’t It Good. Arena’s album Don’t Ask won ARIA awards, and she became the first woman to win in the Album of the Year category. The film’s Australian release begins on August 27.
The documentary “We Are The Shaggs” by Ken Kwapis is dedicated to sisters Dot, Helen and Betty Wiggin, who formed The Shaggs in New Hampshire in the 1960s. Their 1969 album Philosophy of the World received opposing assessments: Frank Zappa called it better than The Beatles, while Rolling Stone described it as the worst album ever recorded. The film includes interviews with Dot and Betty Wiggin, as well as musicians and researchers discussing the band’s place in outsider and DIY music. Screenings are scheduled at the Sydney Underground Film Festival on September 12 and 13.
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Film about Marianne Faithfull
“Broken English,” directed by Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, is dedicated to Marianne Faithfull and named after her 1979 album. The film presents the story of the musician and actress through a fictional “Ministry of Not Forgetting,” headed by Tilda Swinton, which is tasked with rethinking her legacy. The film also shows how Faithfull was often reduced to the role of Mick Jagger’s muse and partner.
Faithfull died during the production of the film. The movie includes a recording of her performing Misunderstanding in the studio with Nick Cave and Warren Ellis; ABC’s article calls this episode her final performance. The Australian release of Broken English begins on September 17.
Live score for “Memento”
The Hear My Eyes project combined the 2000 film “Memento” with live musical accompaniment by Michael “Cavs” Cavanagh, drummer for King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. During the screening, the musician plays two drum kits, using jazz rhythms, synthesizer sounds and electronic samples. Hear My Eyes: Memento is listed at Sydney Recital Hall for August 29.
