Review by Caroline Russo
Fresh from playing to sold-out crowds with queues around the block at the Melbourne International Film Festival, and ahead of its theatrical release on September 4, BUT ALSO JOHN CLARKE has quickly become one of the most talked-about films of the season. This remarkable documentary brings to the big screen the wit, wisdom and enduring legacy of one of Australia and New Zealand’s most loved satirists.
Shot over many months across both countries, the film captures Clarke’s greatest moments and his lasting impact on generations of audiences, while also offering rare and touching glimpses into the man behind the satire. Known as the defining satirical voice of his era, Clarke famously revealed little of his private world. Here, through intimate recorded conversations with his daughter, writer, performer and director Lorin Clarke, audiences are invited into the personal life of a man whose humour helped shape our national identity.
These exchanges shine a light on Clarke’s unwavering resistance to authority, his bold move from New Zealand to Australia in 1977, and his extraordinary four decades in entertainment. His story is further enriched by forty-two of his friends, colleagues and collaborators — including Ben Elton, Sam Neill, Bryan Dawe, Andrew Denton, Ernie Dingo, Jana Wendt, Shaun Micallef, David Wenham, and Wendy Harmer — who share memories, insights and laughter while honouring a cultural icon like no other.
What makes this documentary truly special is how it weaves together anecdotes, rare archives, letters, and treasured work from Clarke’s personal collection — more than 200 boxes in all. The result is a definitive portrait of a man who was not only a satirical genius but also a deeply loved family man.
On a personal note, I feel privileged to have interviewed John Clarke back in 2016. I remember vividly how engaging, generous, and hilarious he was to talk to. As a long-time admirer of his work, speaking with him remains one of my most cherished professional experiences. Clarke had the rare gift of making you laugh while making you think — a true one of a kind.
This feature documentary, directed by Lorin Clarke in her debut, stands as both a public tribute and a deeply intimate portrait. It is produced by acclaimed biopic filmmaker Richard Keddie (Ride Like a Girl, Oddball, Hawke, Curtin), and financed by Screen Australia in association with the MIFF Premiere Fund, VicScreen, Soundfirm, and Rialto Distribution, who will distribute the film across Australia and New Zealand.
BUT ALSO JOHN CLARKE is not just a documentary — it is a celebration of a life, a legacy, and a laughter-filled journey that audiences will find both moving and immensely enjoyable.
Mark your calendars: the film releases nationally in cinemas from September 4, 2025.
