Gus Berger's The Lost City of Melbourne is a celebration not just of the city's past, but also its enduring relationship with cinema and the moving image itself.
In a captivating journey through time, the newly released independent feature documentary, “The Lost City of Melbourne,” plunges into the heart of Melbourne’s rich history, revealing its former glory before the tumultuous attempts at modernisation in the 1950s.
Exploring Melbourne’s heyday in the 1850s when it stood as the epicentre of film and art culture, adorned with breathtaking Victorian architecture, the documentary is available to watch now on SBS On Demand.
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The film paints a vivid picture of Melbourne in the 1850s, a period where the city experienced unprecedented growth, earning the title of the fastest growing city in the world. “They dreamt big, they built big… it was a city jumping out of its skin,” says the documentary, capturing the essence of an era when Melbourne became a global epicentre of film culture. Its hotels, restaurants, and cafes gained international renown, only to face the wrecking ball of modernisation in the 1950s.
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The attempted modernisation, driven by a desire to showcase a contemporary metropolis, led to the destruction of much of Melbourne’s architectural heritage, including elegant cinemas and picture palaces. Whelan The Wrecker’s demolition blitz targeted buildings deemed too Victorian for a modern city.
Director and producer Gus Berger, a Melbourne-based filmmaker and owner/operator of two cinema companies, embarked on this project during the Victorian lockdowns. Forced to close his businesses, he turned his attention to a city in distress, exploring its boom years and the pioneers who shaped it in the 19th century. The result is a captivating documentary that delves into Melbourne’s past, featuring rare archival film and photography to allow audiences to reimagine the city’s lost glory.
As Melbourne emerged from lockdowns, Berger’s documentary, “The Lost City of Melbourne,” came to life, presenting a poignant story of Marvellous Melbourne before Whelan the Wrecker’s destructive influence.
Reviews for the film have been overwhelmingly positive, with audiences expressing fascination and appreciation for the city’s history. One reviewer on Letterboxd praises it as “a loving and illuminating time capsule of my favourite city in the world,” while another declares, “Truly every Melbournian needs to watch this ~ Five Stars.”
The attempted modernisation of Melbourne in the 1950s may have erased many architectural gems, but “The Lost City of Melbourne” serves as a tribute to the city’s enduring spirit, weaving together its history, culture, and cinematic legacy. Join Gus Berger on a journey through time, celebrating Melbourne’s past while shedding light on the importance of preserving heritage in the face of progress.
Watch The Lost City of Melbourne here. Alternatively you can head to the website here.
