Radio Birdman doco gets global theatrical release

The Radio Birdman 2017 documentary Descent Into The Maelstrom is set for theatrical releases around the globe after its release on DVD.

It is through Wrasse (UK), Clearspot (Europe), King Records (Japan) and MVD (North America).

The Jonathan Sequeira-helmed doco also hits streaming services, first iTunes and Vimeo on October 5, and YouTube to follow late 2018.

It’s also been selected for the in-edit Film Festival Spain this October-November.

Accompanying the DVD release is a new video for the song Descent Into The Maelstrom which includes original live footage and rare stills from the documentary – showing off the band’s menacing vigour in 1977.

In the doco, keyboard player Pip Hoyle, discussing Birdman’s legacy, suggests, “I don’t think there’s an Australian sound to Radio Birdman. I think there’s a Radio Birdman sound to Australia.”

To celebrate the film’s release, a limited edition Descent Into The Maelstrom directors box set has been created including; documentary DVD digipak, turntable slip mat, ‘Funhouse Jukebox’ soundtrack vinyl and CD, stickers, seven A5 press shots, exclusive mini poster and Certificate of Authenticity.

In an interview with Collapse Board, singer Deniz Tek was asked if the documentary had brought about any reconciliation within the band members.

Tek replied: “When I first saw the movie, the first Sydney showing, Warwick Gilbert was there and so I had a chat to him after the movie.

“We talked about some of those things and I’ve had conversations with Ron [Keeley] as well, our original founding drummer, I’ve had some conversations with him too.

“He had some misconceptions that were brought out in the film and we talked about that and he ended up sort of apologising about some of those things and we’ve reconciled.

“We’re communicating, we’re still friends.

“I still consider myself to be friends with Warwick also.

“Chris [Masuak] hasn’t spoken to me since he was fired from the band and even though that was a unanimous band decision, I only had one vote in that, I was the one that had to tell him and he hasn’t spoken to me since then.

“Maybe he will. Maybe we’ll reconcile one day. I hope we do.

“I like Chris and I really respect the contribution that he made to the band the. But if he doesn’t want to reconcile, that’s okay too.”