The Many Loves of Geoffrey Dutton (2023)
Synopsis.
Geoffrey Dutton made his mark nationally and internationally as a writer, poet, publisher of Sun Books and the ABR and founder of the Adelaide Festival of Arts and Writer’s Week. He was married to broadcaster and ceramicist Ninette Dutton but after 40 years Geoffrey walked away from his family and from Adelaide. Many found it difficult to forgive him and his later years brought tragedy and controversy, fuelled, to some extent, by his aptly titled autobiography, “Out In The Open.” Dutton was a close friend of Patrick White until they had a bitter falling but he retained a close friendship with the prominent Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko.
Geoffrey’s many loves included his two wives, a fiancé, a string of mistresses, his children, fast cars, travel, flying, literature and art. Dutton’s upbringing was dominated by material wealth but haunted by emotional poverty. At age 9 he was sent to board at Geelong Grammar. His mother visited him only once in the 9 years he was at the school.
Dutton became an influential founding member of the republican movement in the 1960’s, a stance that led to him being ostracised by many in his social class.
Featuring interviews with the Dutton children and with friends and associates including television identity Paula Nagle, Festival director Anthony Steel, artist Lawrence Dawes and writers Peter Goldsworthy and Nicholas Jose, “The Many Loves of Geoffrey Dutton” challenges the image and reputation of one of Australia’s great arts figures.
The Dutton story is told with the aid of extraordinary home movies from the 1940s to the 80s of the family at play at their family property Anlaby and on KI and also in the UK, Europe and Russia.
Produced
Written and directed by Rob George
Music by Dale Ringland