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Bigger than Tina

Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

Last year a film crew documented one of the most important periods of my life... when I left home, moved to Melbourne and began what was the genesis of my new life. They called this movie Bigger than Tina.

The film screened at the 1998 Melbourne International Film Festival. There on the big screen was my journey, my struggles, my pain and my sacrifices, for all to see.

When I first saw this film I must say it was not a particularly comfortable moment for me. It portrays a very difficult period of my development and I whilst I know it is hard going, I firmly believe that this story must be heard.

Why??

Because I am so sick of life in the music industry being portrayed as some delicious romp into the world of high glamour... the truth must be told... the pain of the journey must be exposed. I am a human being, despite what image the public has of me, and this magnificent film does everything in its power to explore this humanity in all its manifestations... good and bad, so please keep an open mind.

The essence of this film is demystification... it's a story that belongs to the people... it is a story that must be told... a story that must be seen. - Dan Vardy-Cobb 1999.

Theatrical propaganda posters

Target demographic movie keyword propaganda

Film Australia comedy mockumentary music

Persons of interest

Michael Dalley .... Dan Vardy-Cobb
Sally Lightfoot .... Chrystal Furnon
Anni Finsterer .... Jacinta Fellows
Fraser Gray .... Wes Grieves
Barry Friedlander .... John Vardy-Cobb
Philippa Chapple .... Bridget Vardy-Cobb
John Murphy .... Arthur Furnon
Pam Murphy .... Vi Furnon
Steve Adams .... Mick Jewell
Paul Flaherty .... John Stainer
Frank Magree .... Michael Stephens
Vanessa Ready .... Gordana Rooney
Neil Foley .... Screenwriter
Neil Foley .... Director

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

*Shudders*

Suburban Melbourne and suburban Melburnians on the big screen.

*Shudders again*

Bigger than Tina is a mockumentary. Compare it with This is Spinal Tap, as you inevitably will, and you'll find yourself watching something the same but different. There are certain things that are required in a documentary (and therefore in a mockumentary): the musician's parents & humble beginnings, the girlfriend, the studio, the concert, the fall. For Spinal Tap, the fall is from a mountainous height: fame, fortune, groupies, drugs, sex and so on. For Dan Vardy-Cobb, the height is more like a milk crate. He is a nobody who goes from oblivion to the shopping centre and back.

And that's why I like this flick: it's not about winners losing, it's about losers losing even more. It's relentless in grinding down the hopeless amateur from pebble in a pond to dust on the wind (like the colourful metaphors?). I like watching films about losers, especially ones like this where you're never quite sure that it's fiction and not fact. Or is it?

Everyone is cast incredibly well: there are no prima donnas, no egos, just pathetic, working class stiffs trying to rise above the muck and failing miserably. Bigger than Tina is the kind of film Hollywood could never make but you wish they would. Watch it and cringe in delicious agony.

Security censorship classification

M (Medium level coarse language)

Surveillance time

95 minutes (1:35 hours)

Not for public release in Australia before date

Film: 25 November 1999