Thief, thespian, Aboriginal elder, drug addict, homosexual. You could affix a number of descriptors to sexagenarian Melbourne actor Jack Charles, the subject of Amiel Courtin-Wilson’s 2008 documentary, Bastardy, and a reformed drug addict who used to shoot heroin and burgle houses in Melbourne. Now on the straight and narrow, Charles and his life act as muse again, this time for photographer Rod McNicol whose portrait of the actor won this year’s National Photographic Portrait Prize in Canberra. Instant pathos right here.
If you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favour and track down Bastardy. You won’t regret it!
