Bobby Fischer Against The World, 16/7/11, GFT

Last night I saw the documentary film 'Bobby Fischer Against The World' at the GFT.
Primarily focusing on the infamous 1972 Fischer-Spassky world chess championship match in Iceland, the film uses archive footage, old and new interviews to give insight into the turbulent life of the great American chess player.



Informative, moving and humorous the film is well crafted with insightful commentary from the various participants involved. Non-chess players need not worry about being alienated as the film is not overtly concerned with the mechanics of the game, but rather deals with the obsession that overwhelmed Fischer leading to his paranoia and eventual fall from favour.

I first became aware of Fischer due to my interest in 'Chess' the musical where the character of the American player is often cited to be based on Fischer. Whilst aspects of Fischer's personality are clearly visible in the American character this documentary clearly shows how far more extreme, complex and self-destructive the real person was. Tim Rice chose, wisely, to only use the appropriate aspects of Fischer in his creation of the fictional American for the musical, using his own imagination and other sporting figures to round out his creation. Fischer, as shown in this film, was clearly more repulsive a person than Rice could ever wish to create.

My only criticism with the film is that I wish they'd tried to look further into that period of Fischer's life, following his gaining the championship through to his re-emergence for a re-match against Spassky, where he simply vanishes for a decade.
But, regardless, the film is a fascinating look at the man, his life and the lessons to be gained from his failure as a socially productive human being.

If you get a chance go and see this film. There are worse things you can do, after all.

Jim Sharman 'Blood & Tinsel - A Memoir'

Jim Sharman is the director of 'The Rocky Horror Show'; the film adaptation; 'Hair' in Australia, Japan and Boston; the Australian and London premieres of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and numerous other theatrical endeavours.

The book is an auto-biography, or ‘memoir’, and deals with Sharman’s life and work including his youth spent in the carnivals through his work on the seminal rock musicals of the 60s and 70s, to his return to his native land, his depression. We also have insights into his relationships, both personal and career related. 

Yet for all that, Sharman is a writer whose style is easy, informative and interesting; you want to know more about this man, yet at times he doesn’t quite give you enough to satiate your appetite.

His insights into theatre and, to a lesser extent, film are not at the level of academic research but are insightful enough to make you appreciate the genius that can lurk within someone’s mind. He is quite matter of fact about certain aspects of his life, including his sexuality and his relationships with people. One certainly gets the impression that Sharman is someone who’s been able to take out of life all that he can, appreciate what comes along, yet know when it’s time to let go and say goodbye. This view was something totally alien to me, but I read and thought and what I love more than anything in this book is how, throughout his life and work, Sharman looks with an eager eye; learning and gaining insights into humanity itself.

I finished the book wanting more and more yet coming away from it all with a sense of wonder and fascination at how intricate, complex and joyous the world is. I often hear how informative, how insightful some directors can be and reading this overwhelming book I can clearly understand why.

Jim Sharman is one of my favourite directors, yet I’ve never seen (nor probably ever will) one of his productions as he chooses to work exclusively in Australia - a great loss to the rest of the world – yet reading about his work, reading his insights behind what he does leaves me in awe at this theatrical magician, hoping that his work will cross the oceans once more ...