The 45-year story of iconic Australian band Midnight Oil has been captured for the first time on film in a new documentary set to premiere at the Sydney Film Festival.
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Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line features unheard interviews with every band member and unseen live and studio footage from the band behind Aussie anthems such as Beds Are Burning, Blue Sky Mine and Redneck Wonderland.
The Oils' political and cultural impact is also portrayed in key moments such as their outback tour with Warumpi Band, their Exxon protest gig in New York and the famous "Sorry" suits worn at the Sydney Olympics.
Drummer Rob Hirst said the film was "as much a revelation as a chronicle" for the band.
"Rarely were we able to focus on the horizon and see the 'big picture', if there was such a thing," he said.
"Perhaps at last we can frame the last 50 years, make some collective sense of it, wrap it in a box marked 'the Luckiest Band Ever'."
The film's world premiere will be held on the opening night of the Sydney Film Festival on June 5 at the State Theatre.
"This documentary not only chronicles the formidable journey of one of Australia's most influential bands but also captures the spirit of an era that reshaped our cultural and political landscapes," festival director Nashen Moodley said.
"It's a fitting tribute to their legacy and a profound reflection on their impact that continues to inspire audiences around the world."
The 71st Sydney Film Festival runs from June 5 to 16 with the full program to be announced on May 8, tickets and information at sff.org.au
