Dogs In Space (1986)

This Australian cult classic stars the late Michael Hutchence (of INXS) and is set in Melbourne’s late 70s punk rock scene.

The film chronicles life in a chaotic, squalid share-house in the inner-city suburb of Richmond, where hippies, drug addicts, students and radicals fill their days and nights with sex, drugs, parties and television.

Writer/director Richard Lowenstein balances a series of chaotic vignettes with the central story of the romance between housemates Sam (Hutchence), the lead singer of the struggling band, Dogs in Space and his lover Anna (Saskia Post,) who works in a nursing home and has ambitions of becoming an airline stewardess, as it spirals out of control when hard drugs enter their lives.

Tim (Nique Needles) plays ‘electronics’ in Dogs in Space, and Luchio (Tony Helou) is studying for engineering exams.

The house is frequented by dozens of friends and acquaintances who share a common interest in music. An unnamed teenage runaway (Deanna Bond) moves in without anyone objecting.

Hutchence is a brilliant symbol of reckless youth in this, his first dramatic screen role, giving Dogs in Space instant cult status upon its release.

Sam
Michael Hutchence
Anna
Saskia Post
Tim
Nique Needles
Luchio
Tony Helou
The Girl
Deanna Bond
Anthony
Peter Walsh
Clare
Laura Swanson
Grant
Adam Briscomb
Leanne
Sharon Jessop
Nick
Edward Clayton-Jones
Chainsaw man
Chris Haywood
Barbara (Socialist Youth Alliance)
Fiona Latham

Director
Richard Lowenstein

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