Slim and I
| Company type | Documentary film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2020 |
| Founder | Kriv Stenders |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Key people | Kriv Stenders (director), Chris Brown (producer), Aline Jacques (producer) |
| Products | Documentary film |
Slim and I is a 2020 documentary from Australia, directed by Kriv Stenders, that explores the lives and careers of Joy McKean and Slim Dusty, the country’s most acclaimed husband-and-wife singer-songwriter partnership.
Documentary development
The inspiration for this film came from James Arneman, the grandson of Slim and Joy, who gathered extensive archival materials from their touring days. Initially, film producer Chris Brown made contact with the family, followed by the involvement of director Kriv Stenders. Stenders was particularly interested in narrating the story through Joy McKean’s viewpoint, admitting he had limited prior knowledge but discovered a compelling narrative deserving of attention.
Film release
The documentary debuted in Australian theaters in September 2020, although its Victorian release was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its global premiere occurred in Kempsey, New South Wales, close to Slim Dusty’s place of origin. The premiere attracted prominent figures such as NSW Governor Margaret Beazley, Oxley representative Melinda Pavey, Kempsey Shire Mayor Liz Campbell, Joy McKean herself, their children Anne and David Kirkpatrick, alongside director Kriv Stenders and producer Aline Jacques. Nationwide distribution began on 10 September 2020.
Reviews and reception
Critics responded positively after the film’s initial screening. Paul Byrnes from The Sydney Morning Herald gave it four stars, describing it as "pure joy." Stephen Romei of The Australian awarded four stars as well, calling it a "brilliant love story" and "utterly charming." Anthony Morris at Screenhub commended it as a thoughtful homage to Joy McKean’s influential role in Slim Dusty’s career. Out in Perth rated the documentary four and a half stars, questioning why this narrative had not been explored earlier.
Awards and nominations
| Award | Date of Ceremony | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast Film Festival Awards | 2020 | Best Australian Film | Template:Won |
Soundtrack
The official soundtrack was made available on 4 September 2020.
Weekly charts
| Chart (2020) | Highest position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA) | 8 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2020) | Ranking |
|---|---|
| Australian Top Country (ARIA) | 21 |
Release details
| Region | Release Date | Format | Label | Catalogue Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 4 September 2020 | Template:Flat list | EMI Music | 0748837 |