The flute riff that launched a lawsuit and nearly sank a nation.
A film about Men At Work, their hit single Down Under, and the Kookaburra controversy. The band were sued for copyright infringement and faced the label of 'plagiarists', 35 years after their success. An examination of the organic development of the song, its commercial success and cultural significance and questions the relationship between art and law, influence and copyright.
Writing
Smart unpacking of a famously messy lawsuit.
Production
Rare archival footage of the band at peak fame.
Direction
Balances band love with legal skepticism.
Director
Harry Hayes
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The lawsuit only happened because a music teacher noticed the similarity while watching Spicks and Specks trivia show in 2007.
The case sparked fierce debate about whether Australia itself 'owns' its folk sounds, or if Girl Guides songbooks count as sacred texts.
AU
US
