Michele Bennett (film producer) explained

Michele Bennett
Birth Name:Michele Rosemary Bennett
Birth Place:Australia
Occupation:Film producer
Years Active:1982–present
Partner:Michael Hutchence (1982–1987)

Michele Rosemary Bennett is an Australian film and television producer.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] She is the founder of Cherub Pictures and Pariah Productions and has produced films such as Chopper (2000), The Magician (2005), Drift (2013), and Judy and Punch (2019), as well as the television series Mr Inbetween (2018–2021), (2023) and Queen of Oz (2023). Bennett has also produced music videos for artists such as INXS, U2, Prince, Silverchair and Foo Fighters.

Bennett's relationship with INXS lead vocalist, Michael Hutchence, inspired the band's 1988 hit single "Never Tear Us Apart".

Career

In the early 1980s, Bennett had four jobs while she was studying at University in Melbourne, including a brief career as a model,[6] and then started working as a photographer's agent.[7]

In 1982, Bennett appeared on the music video for "The One Thing" by INXS, as one of the women at the banquet table.[8] [9]

In the late 1980s, Bennett started working with Australian filmmaker Richard Lowenstein on several music videos.[7] In 1986, she made a cameo in Lowenstein's film Dogs in Space. In 1989, Bennett produced the U2 documentary LoveTown, directed by Lowenstein.[1]

In the early 1990s, Bennett produced the INXS music videos "Suicide Blonde",[10] "By My Side" and "Bitter Tears".[11] She also produced music videos for artists such as U2,[1] Prince,[1] Silverchair,[12] and Foo Fighters.[1]

Bennett began collaborating with Australian filmmaker Andrew Dominik on music videos and commercials in Sydney in the early 1990s.[13]

In 1991, Bennett founded her own production company, Cherub Pictures.[12] The company has produced music videos, documentaries and television commercials.[12]

In 2000, Bennett produced her first feature film through her company Pariah Productions,[14] [2] Andrew Dominik's crime drama Chopper (2000), which became a critical and box office hit in Australia.[1] Since then, Bennett has produced feature films such as Scott Ryan's The Magician (2005), Morgan O'Neill and Ben Nott's Drift (2013), and Mirrah Foulkes's Judy and Punch (2019).[1]

In 2004, Bennett produced the INXS documentary Welcome to Wherever You Are, directed by Lowenstein.[11] In 2005, she produced the documentary , directed by Lian Lunson.[1] [15]

From 2018 to 2021, Bennett produced the television series Mr Inbetween.[1]

In February 2019, Bennett was a member of the jury of the Tropfest in Sydney.[16]

In 2023, Bennett produced the television series and Queen of Oz.[17] [18]

Personal life

Bennett speaks Mandarin.[19]

From 1982 to 1987, Bennett was in a relationship with INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence.[20] They shared a flat in Paddington with New Zealand-Australian singer Jenny Morris, who was INXS's backing vocalist.[21] Bennett inspired INXS's 1988 hit song "Never Tear Us Apart".[22] Bennett introduced Hutchence to Australian filmmaker Richard Lowenstein, who directed several music videos for INXS,[10] including the one for "Never Tear Us Apart".[23] According to Hutchence's sister, Tina, Bennett was the only woman her brother said he had considered marrying.[24] Lowenstein, who was close friends with Hutchence, also said that he believed that Bennett was the only woman that Hutchence would marry; "I always felt that, after everything, he'd go back and marry Michele and have a baby with her," he told The Independent in 1998.[25]

Bennett and Hutchence remained close friends after the end of their relationship and she was described as Hutchence's "first real love",[26] his "closest friend and confidante".[25] Bennett was the last person that Hutchence called on the morning of his death, on 22 November 1997.[27] According to Bennett, Hutchence called her two times that morning; first he left a message in her answering machine, then he called her again at 9:54 am and she answered the phone. Bennett said that Hutchence was crying, sounded upset, and told her he needed to see her. Bennett arrived at his hotel room door at about 10:40 am, but there was no response, so she wrote him a note and left it at reception. Hutchence's body was discovered by a hotel maid at 11:50 am.[28] [29] His death was ruled as suicide while depressed and under the influence of alcohol and other drugs.[29]

Bennett refused to talk about her relationship with Hutchence publicly until the 2019 documentary ,[25] [10] [30] directed by Richard Lowenstein, a close friend of both Bennett and Hutchence's.[31]

In popular culture

Bennett was portrayed by actress Jane Harber in the 2014 Australian biographical miniseries .[32] Bennett claimed that the miniseries was not accurate and that she was not contacted by the filmmakers.[10]

Filmography

Actress

YearTitleRoleDirectorNotes
1982INXS: The One ThingGirl at the banquet tableRichard LowensteinMusic video
1986Dogs in SpaceGrant's girlFeature film; as Michelle Bennett

Producer

YearTitleDirector(s)Notes
1989U2: LoveTownRichard LowensteinDocumentary
Flying Emus: Different DrumPaul ClarkeMusic video
1990INXS: Suicide BlondeRichard LowensteinMusic video
1991INXS: By My Side
INXS: Bitter Tears
2000ChopperAndrew DominikFeature film[33]
2004INXS: Welcome to Wherever You AreRichard LowensteinDocumentary
2005The MagicianScott RyanFeature film
2006Magic Happens: The Story of 'The MagicianLuke DoolanDocumentary
2007SeptemberPeter CarstairsConsulting producer[34]
2009ApricotBen BriandShort film[35]
2013DriftMorgan O'Neill and Ben NottFeature film
2019Judy and PunchMirrah Foulkes
2021SharkNash EdgertonShort film[36]
2023Queen of OzChristiaan Van VuurenTelevision series

Executive producer

YearTitleDirector(s)Notes
2004It Takes Two to TangoLuke ShanahanShort film[37]
2005Lian LunsonDocumentary; executive in charge of production for Cherub Pictures
2010Bridezilla: Western FrontJustin Kurzel and Daniel Fletcher Music video[38]
2014The MuleTony Mahony and Angus SampsonFeature film[39]
2018–2021Mr InbetweenNash EdgertonTelevision series[40]
2023Shawn Seet, David Caesar, Kriv Stenders and Catherine MillarTelevision series

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2000Australian Film Institute AwardsBest FilmChopper[41]
2018Screen Producers Australia AwardsDrama Series Production of the YearMr Inbetween[42]
2018Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts AwardsBest Drama Series[43]
2019Best FilmJudy and Punch[44]
Best Drama SeriesMr Inbetween
2019Film Critics Circle of Australia AwardsBest FilmJudy and Punch[45]
2021Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts AwardsBest Drama SeriesMr Inbetween[46]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Michele Bennett . 30 August 2024 . . 25 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240925185403/https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/mr-inbetween/crew/michele-bennett-producer . live .
  2. Web site: Pariah Films Pty Ltd . 21 September 2024 . . 25 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240925185412/https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.pariah_films_pty_ltd.b312ce55e28f497404004d732044bc34.html . live .
  3. Web site: Quinn . Karl . 26 April 2019 . New Michael Hutchence documentary explores source of his depression . . Australian film producer Michelle Bennett.
  4. Web site: Michele Bennett . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240925185403/https://www.collection.nfsa.gov.au/search/credits.id%3D7028201%26credits.role%3DExecutive%20producer%26page%3D2 . 25 September 2024 . 30 August 2024 . National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.
  5. Web site: George . Sandy . 6 December 2013 . A producer's work is never done . . 5 July 2024 . 5 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240705061555/https://www.sbs.com.au/whats-on/article/a-producers-work-is-never-done/1e9b6t0pc . live .
  6. Book: Creswell, Toby . Shine Like It Does: The Life of Michael Hutchence . . 2017 . 978-1760407360 . 47–48 . 23 July 2024 . 25 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240925185402/https://books.google.com/books?id=JrzIEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT48#v=onepage&q&f=false . live .
  7. Web site: The Magician (2005) . 30 August 2024 . Australasian Cinema.
  8. Web site: 28 November 2012 . INXS - The One Thing (Official Music Video) . . 8 July 2024 . 8 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240708185354/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJyKTNdPL5s&t=70s . live .
  9. Web site: 25 January 2023 . The Lowdown – INXS . . 8 July 2024 . 8 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240708183829/https://www.crankthehankboise.com/2023/01/25/the-lowdown-inxs/ . live .
  10. Web site: Adams . Cameron . 7 August 2021 . What you didn't know about that notorious INXS concert . . 4 July 2024 . 11 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210811191031/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/stellar/what-you-didnt-know-about-that-notorious-inxs-concert/news-story/5080d5bc715da41fe1c308b30519d5e7 . live .
  11. Web site: I'm Only Looking – The Best of INXS (2004, DVD) – Credits . . 29 August 2024 . 22 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240922053240/https://imgur.com/a/im-only-looking-best-of-inxs-2004-dvd-credits-c3iU7Iq . live .
  12. Web site: 23 March 2010 . Director Julius Avery Joins Cherub Pictures . . 5 July 2024 . 20 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221120125505/https://if.com.au/director-julius-avery-joins-cherub-pictures/ . live .
  13. Web site: Wilson . Jake . 27 August 2021 . Death threats, boycotts and a white witch: Inside the making of Chopper . . 30 August 2024 . 30 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240830110248/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/death-threats-boycotts-and-a-white-witch-inside-the-making-of-chopper-20210820-p58kgm.html . live .
  14. Web site: Peirce . Andrew F . 1 July 2021 . Iconic Australian Film Chopper Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary With Exclusive August Cinema Re-Release . . 21 September 2024 . 21 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240921182506/https://www.thecurb.com.au/iconic-australian-film-chopper-celebrates-its-20th-anniversary-with-exclusive-august-cinema-re-release/ . live .
  15. Web site: Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man . 30 August 2024 . . 8 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240708183223/https://www.berlinale.de/external/programme/archive/pdf/20061642.pdf . live .
  16. Web site: 23 October 2018 . Tropfest is back in Parramatta Park in 2019 . . 23 July 2024 . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240723174502/https://www.timeout.com/sydney/film/tropfest-1 . live .
  17. Web site: Hailu . Selome . 19 March 2024 . 'NCIS Sydney' Renewed for Season 2 at CBS and Paramount+ Australia . . 22 July 2024 . 25 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240925185458/https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/ncis-sydney-renewed-season-2-cbs-paramount-plus-australia-1235946298/ . live .
  18. Web site: Queen of Oz (2023) . 30 August 2024 . Screen Australia . 26 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726225949/https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/queen-of-oz-2023/40801/ . live .
  19. Book: Creswell, Toby . Shine Like It Does: The Life of Michael Hutchence . . 2017 . 978-1760407360 . 47 . 23 July 2024 . 25 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240925185403/https://books.google.com/books?id=JrzIEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT47#v=onepage&q&f=false . live .
  20. Web site: Hay . Carla . 26 April 2019 . 2019 Tribeca Film Festival movie review: 'Mystify - Michael Hutchence" . Culture Mix Online . 5 July 2024 . 18 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240518171525/https://culturemixonline.com/2019-tribeca-film-festival-movie-review-mystify-michael-hutchence/ . live .
  21. Web site: Bard . Ariela . 8 June 2024 . Losing her voice, finding a cause: how Jenny Morris turned tragedy into triumph . The Australian.
  22. Web site: Potton . Ed . 18 October 2019 . 'It's telling that on his last night Michael Hutchence was alone' — Mystify's director on his friend's death . subscription . live . https://archive.today/20240705044033/https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/its-telling-that-on-his-last-night-michael-hutchence-was-alone-mystifys-director-on-his-friends-death-n0t0l8lms . 5 July 2024 . 30 August 2024 . The Times.
  23. Web site: Brandle . Lars . 25 March 2024 . INXS Goes Behind the Scenes on ‘Never Tear Us Apart’: Exclusive Premiere . . 6 September 2024 . 3 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240703212910/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/inxs-behind-the-scenes-never-tear-us-apart-exclusive-1235640339/ . live.
  24. Book: Hutchence . Tina . Just a Man: The Real Michael Hutchence . Glassop . Patricia . Patricia Glassop . . 2000 . 9780330390194 . The only woman I have ever heard him say he would wed, is Michele Bennett. . 5 July 2024 . 4 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230604074006/https://michaelhutchenceinfo.com/JAM_chapter14.htm . live .
  25. Web site: Milliken . Robert . 5 April 1998 . The Death of a Rock Star . . 5 July 2024 . 7 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201207185814/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/the-death-of-a-rock-star-1154565.html . live .
  26. Web site: Benitez-Eves . Tina . 16 October 2019 . ‘Mystify’ Documentary About INXS’ Michael Hutchence Will Have One-Night U.S. Theater Showing . . 6 September 2024 . 1 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230601192535/https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/mystify-documentary-inxs-michael-hutchence-8533060/ . live .
  27. Web site: 28 March 2019 . Who knew what on night Michael Hutchence died . The Daily Telegraph.
  28. Web site: 29 January 2014 . Michael Hutchence death explained: the Coroner's account in his own words . . 8 July 2024 . 21 January 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180121200214/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/michael-hutchence-death-explained-the-coroners-account-in-his-own-words/news-story/26dae2274fadfcbb10beb994f7cf7d26 . live .
  29. Book: Hand . Derrick . Fife-Yeomans . Janet . The Coroner: Investigating Sudden Death . 2004 . 2008 . . Sydney, NSW . 978-0-7333-2221-1.
  30. Web site: 26 April 2019 . Mystify: Michael Hutchence announced by BBC Music and BBC Two . . 30 August 2024 . 25 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240925185404/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/mystify-michael-hutchence . live .
  31. Web site: 30 January 2020 . A Conversation With Richard Lowenstein ("Mystify: Michael Hutchence") . Magnet Magazine . 8 July 2024 . 8 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240708183221/https://magnetmagazine.com/2020/01/30/a-conversation-with-richard-lowenstein-mystify-michael-hutchence/ . live .
  32. Web site: Knox . David . 6 February 2014 . A touchstone for Michael Hutchence . TV Tonight . 4 July 2024 . 12 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180912204628/https://tvtonight.com.au/2014/02/a-touchstone-for-michael-hutchence.html . live .
  33. Web site: Australian Film Productions, 1990–2019 . 30 August 2024 . The Production Book . 21 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240321202731/http://productionbook.com.au/TPB_AUS_FILMS_Produced_1990-2019.pdf . live .
  34. Web site: September (2007) . 30 August 2024 . Australasian Cinema . 30 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240830101448/http://australiancinema.info/db/2008/september.html . live .
  35. Web site: Darke . Brayden . 10 November 2011 . Homebake 2011 – Film (& Performance) Line-up . . 22 July 2024 . 22 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240722051607/https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/homebake-2011-film-performance-line-up/ . live .
  36. Web site: Shark (2021) . 30 August 2024 . Screen Australia . 22 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240722051611/https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/shark-2021/39932/ . live .
  37. Web site: It Takes Two to Tango (2004) . 30 August 2024 . Screen Australia . 26 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726192608/https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/it-takes-two-to-tango-2004/20347/ . live .
  38. Web site: 4 February 2010 . Bridezilla - Western Front . . 8 September 2024 . 8 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240908195124/https://vimeo.com/9200233 . live .
  39. Web site: The Mule (2014) . 30 August 2024 . Screen Australia . 26 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726222116/https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/the-mule-2013/29879 . live .
  40. Web site: Mr Inbetween (2018) . 30 August 2024 . Screen Australia . 26 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726222116/https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/mr-inbetween-series-1-2018/35579 . live .
  41. Web site: AACTA Awards – Winners & Nominees – 2000. Australian Film Institute. 30 August 2024. 20 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221220045803/https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/range/2000-2010/year/2000/. live.
  42. Web site: Knox . David . 23 November 2018 . Screen Producers Awards 2018: winners . . 29 August 2024 . 23 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200923021654/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/11/screen-producers-awards-2018-winners.html . live .
  43. Web site: AACTA Awards – Winners & Nominees – 2018 . . 30 August 2024 . 4 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204150730/https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/2018-aacta-awards/ . live .
  44. Web site: AACTA Awards – Winners & Nominees – 2019 . . 30 August 2024 . 2 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202204000/https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/2019-aacta-awards/ . live .
  45. Web site: Film Critics Circle of Australia – 2019 Awards Winners . . 30 August 2024 . 17 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240417033316/http://fcca.com.au/previous_awards/2019-awards-nominations/ . live .
  46. Web site: AACTA Awards – Winners & Nominees – 2021 . . 30 August 2024 . 4 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204145259/https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/2021-aacta-awards/ . live .

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