Local celebrity John Flaus is set to feature in a biographical documentary being developed by independent filmmaker Penny Moore.
The documentary aims to acknowledge the huge body of work that John Flaus has produced and will explore his contribution to film culture in Australia over the last 70 years.
Flaus became active in the film society movement in the 1950s and began writing film reviews for independent and industry publications.
A member of the Push Movement (an intellectual subculture in Sydney) John was also actively involved in the Sydney University Film Group and the WEA Film Study Group in the 1960s.
John was giving free film lectures in and around Sydney when he came to the attention of Dr Patricia Edgar who was lobbying for film to be included as a legitimate course of academic study in Australia. She offered John a job in Melbourne where he worked with her to develop and design a course in Cinema Studies. The Media Unit was established at La Trobe University in 1975 and it is the first film course of its kind to be offered in Australia.
John subsequently went on to become Head of Education at the Australian Film, Television, and Radio School.
A dedicated teacher, Flaus has lectured at numerous tertiary institutions over the last 40 years.
Considered ‘the Father of Cinema Studies’ in this country, this title reflects the huge contribution John has made to film culture and education in Australia.
Thrust in front of the camera in 1969 as part of an experimental film made by members of the Push Movement, Flaus went on to be cast in numerous independent and student productions which he continued supporting throughout his career.
In 1978 Flaus was approached by a casting agent and began acting professionally in his spare time. It wasn’t until the early 1990s that John devoted himself to full-time acting.
With over 130 acting credits in film and television plus dozens more in live theatre, John has established himself as a veteran performer.
John was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in late 2019 and is currently dealing with the early onset of dementia.
In a race against time, filmmaker Penny Moore is running a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds that will enable her to capture and record important footage before John’s health deteriorates and his dementia makes it impossible for him to participate in filming.
If you would like to make a contribution, all donations are tax-deductible and every dollar donated is doubled (up to $5,000) thanks to Creative Partnerships Australia through MATCH Lab and the Australian Cultural Fund.
Contributions can be made online until October 18 at the Australian Cultural Fund. Donate today at: artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2E9q000000A8RzEAK/john-flaus-documentary-in-development
