Mental As AnythingThe feature documentary Live It Up: The Mental As Anything Story is heading to Australian cinemas this year, with a theatrical release date of Thursday, 5 March.
Today’s announcement comes as the beloved homegrown band reforms for a 50th anniversary tour of Australia, with original members Reg Mombassa and Peter O’Doherty primed to return to the stage.
Live It Up features never-before-seen archival footage and exclusive interviews with Mental As Anything band members Reg Mombassa, Martin Plaza, Peter O’Doherty, and David Twohill, as well as individuals in their inner circle.
Written and directed by award-winning director Matthew Walker, along with supervising writer and post-producer Paul Clarke (Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line, John Farnham: Finding The Voice), the 90-minute documentary is a long time in the making.
Commemorating their 50th anniversary, Live It Up will have its world premiere at the Cremorne Orpheum on Tuesday, 24 February. The special event will also feature a Q&A with the band.
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“It's slightly weird to think that we started the Mentals 50 years ago, but that's how time works,” Reg Mombassa commented in a statement. “The film captures the humour and the energy and the art and personalities of the band members. I am grateful that I was able to be in an interesting and popular band, and I feel proud of our legacy.”
Peter O’Doherty added, “I joined the band at the age of 19, and we were grafted together like a second family. This film captures the essence of what it was like to be in an Australian band in the 70s, 80s and 90s, and I’m reminded of how chaotic, creative, funny, and intense it all was.”
Live It Up writer and director Matthew Walker described growing up with Mental As Anything as “a part of everyday suburban life.” Elaborating on that experience, Walker said, “As a kid, it seemed normal and correct that they existed, dressed in tin foil, singing unforgettable songs that made you happy.”
“Later, you realise how great those songs were and how much of an impact they had. This film is a celebration of the magic of The Mentals and their extraordinary story and is well overdue for the big screen.”
Recognised for their many hits – 22 of which hit the Top 40 – including Live It Up, If You Leave Me Can I Come Too? and The Nips Are Getting Bigger, Mental As Anything remain one of Australia’s most loved and successful bands.
2026 will see Mental As Anything bring their signature pop-rock sound to the stage, with performances confirmed at this year’s Melbourne’s St Kilda Festival, Bluesfest Byron Bay, Tasmania’s A Taste Of The Huon Festival, and Queensland’s Lighthouse Rock. Who knows what else is to come?
