Luke Hartsuyker, Member for Cowper and Minister Assisting the Deputy Prime Minister, launched the Canberra screening of The Island of Doctor Moron at the National Library of Australia on Friday, October 14.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In what was highly entertaining opening speech, Mr Hartsuyker drew a light-hearted comparison between the strange world and equally strange creatures on the Island of Doctor Moron and the oft-times strange and colourful world which he inhabits in parliament.
Mr Hartsuyker was also very serious in his praise for the creative people of his electorate of Cowper on the mid-north coast of NSW. He mentioned, as examples, the creators of the film, Lyn and Chris Dockrill and others such as Jack Thompson who also lives in his electorate and has endorsed The Island of Doctor Moron project from its inception.
He said it was encouraging to see a work of quality such as this film realised on such a scale and now on its way to tour Australia and the world at large.
The story follows the adventures of Edwyna and Douggie a who are stranded on a mysterious island, captured by voodoo natives and sold to the maniacal Doctor Moron as experimental subjects.
The film is driven by 21 original songs and very physical and demanding choreography.
Following the screening, Mr Hartsuyker was full of praise for film. “I love the music,” he said, “every song is a winner, and the dancing is amazing.”
Producer and co-creator of the film, Chris Dockrill, said that he greatly appreciated Mr Hartsuyker’s willingness to launch the film.
“I saw Luke’s agenda for the week – it was packed,” he said.
“He could have flown home to his family on the Thursday night, after Parliament rose, but he was willing to stay the extra day to support us.
“I think it reveals much about the quality of our local member. It was most encouraging to have Luke there to share the moment with us.
“It is a significant achievement for us to screen our film, which is the only film of its type to be made in Australia, in such an iconic building as The National Library of Australia.
“To think, that just two years ago we were just about to launch our live show in the theatre we created from the ruins of the old Palace Academy Twin Cinema in Paddington and now, there we were, screening a cinematic film of the show in Canberra, our nation’s capital and on our way towards broader and more distant horizons.”
The film next screens at the Hawks Nest Golf Club on November 11 & 12.
Follow the tour at theislandofdoctormoron.com.au