Courtney Barnett doco heads for cinemas, international premiere at SXSW

Courtney Barnett’s feature documentary Anonymous Club will screen in cinemas nationally in Australia from March 17.

It will have its international premiere at SXSW in, Austin, Texas from March 11—19.

The stylised 16mm Anonymous Club was filmed over three years by writer/director Danny Cohen.

The 83-minute feature lifts the veil on an introverted ghost-like performer and anti-influencer who created a solid following around the world with intimate poetic lyrics and a humble persona.

“I don’t know what the fuck I’m talking about anymore,” she laments at one point.

“I don’t understand the point of talking about my feelings.”

Barnett provides the score with Stella Mozgawa.

Cohen’s strategy of giving Barnett a dictaphone to put down her innermost thoughts works – as the film proceeds, Barnett relaxes and opens up as she becomes accustomed to his camera.

He also has his own dictaphone, which he shares with the singer-songwriter to show he was also on a similar journey.

He tells her: “If it makes it feel more comfortable, speak like you’re talking to me on the phone.”

Executive producer Sue Maslin suggests that as a result, the film’s appeal is more than just music.

“She takes us on a journey through a confusing, and at times dark, period in her life where she ultimately finds a sense of purpose in her creativity – even if she hasn’t worked everything out.

“We have all been through bumpy times over the past couple of years and her story is a tonic, told with the honesty and humour we could all use a bit more of right now”.

Before filming Cohen made it a point not to watch any other docos.

But D. A. Pennebaker’s iconic Don’t Look Back, about 23-year old Bob Dylan’s three-week UK tour in 1965, was definitely a blueprint.

It was a fly-on-the-wall portrait which captured the world around Dylan change as he became a superstar.

Cohen said: “After three years on (and off) the road, and a blurry few months in the edit suite with legendary editor Ben Hall, it’s wild to think that piece by piece, I’ve documented a story; one of a searching woman, of tremendous personal growth, and limitless talent.”

Producers Philippa Campey and Samantha Dinning added: “It’s been such a joy and privilege to work with Danny on this beautifully filmed, and thoughtfully considered feature doc.

“Danny’s creative collaboration with Courtney – one of our brightest and most inspiring musicians – is unique.

“She’s an everyday person living an extraordinary life, and Danny’s ability to bring the intimacy of their creative friendship to the big screen offers insights and reflections for us all.”

Anonymous Club had its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2021, and went on to screen at the Sydney Film Festival, Cinefest Oz and Brisbane International Film Festival.

The upcoming cinema run coincides with her Australian tour through Chugg Entertainment, Frontier Touring, Penny Drop and Village Sounds behind her acclaimed third album Things Time Time, Take Time.

It starts on March 10 in Perth at a sell-out at the Astor.

Anonymous Club is distributed in Australia by Film Art Media, while Berlin-based Monoduo Films is handling the rest of the world.

Oscilloscope Films, established by the Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch in 2008, is looking after North American distribution.