A bright and sunny Friday afternoon greeted the second day of the Nashville Film Festival. Movie lovers and festival sponsors alike sprinkled in to the dark and tiny theater 14 for a final festival screening of Colin Hay – Waiting For My Real Life.
After a brief introduction by one of the film’s co-directors Nate Gowtham, the show was ready to begin. From the get-go, Colin Hay was captivating. The pure cinematic quality of the documentary was enough to impress those in the room, but the honesty and vulnerability within the storyline took it to an unexpected new level. The film delves deep into the life of former Men At Work front man Colin Hay — nearly every bit of his rise to fame, decline, and search for a purpose in this world.
Humorous moments strategically coupled with not-so laughable ones kept those who had never heard of Colin Hay and those who are avid fans easily enthralled throughout the film. Viewers experienced excitement and heartbreak alongside Hay, painting a seemingly realistic picture of this unique story. While Gowtham and co-director Aaron Faulls were unafraid to show him in a light that was occasionally unflattering, Hay ultimately came off as amicable and inspiring.
The 85 minute documentary ranged from using top-of-the-line cinematography to pre-HD videos from the 80s, to still photos. The filmmakers worked on the project for three years, using a relatively even mix of old and new footage of live performances and interviews with Hay, Men At Work members, family, friends, and more. While the arrangement can be dizzying if done incorrectly, the entirety of the film flowed seamlessly like that of seasoned professionals, not first-time filmmakers. For anyone interested in the turbulent lifestyle of fame and fortune, this film is a must-see.
“Everyone needs to find their place in this expanding universe,” Hay declares, strumming his guitar on stage. “This is my place.”
Nice review and great movie. This could have been a two hour movie and still would have been captivating. Awesome job by the directors to tell a great story and keep the audience engaged from start to finish. I hope this makes onto the phones, ipads and into homes of many music lovers around the world.