Dramatic scenes unfolded at the Melbourne premiere of One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's controversial film A Super Progressive Movie, as a brawl erupted between attendees and protesters, with one individual accused of deploying a stink bomb to disrupt the event. The screening, held at the Village Cinema Complex at Crown in Southbank on Thursday evening, was marred by clashes that required police intervention to maintain order.
Violent Clashes and Alleged Stink Bomb Incident
Victoria Police have confirmed that a 32-year-old man from Rowville is expected to be charged on summons with public nuisance offences following the incident. Authorities allege that he set off a stink bomb at the cinema complex around 5:30 pm, just as guests were arriving for the highly anticipated premiere.
Footage from the scene captured heated confrontations between protesters and those waiting to enter the theatre. In one particularly volatile exchange, a man and woman were seen arguing vehemently, with the man reportedly swiping the woman's phone after she blew a whistle directly at him. The situation escalated rapidly as the woman lunged toward the man before security personnel managed to separate the pair.
Protesters Target Hanson's Anti-Immigration Stance
The protest, organised under the banner 'Say no to Hanson', drew a significant crowd near Crown Casino where several speakers addressed attendees. Many demonstrators wore T-shirts bearing the message 'refugees are welcome here' in direct opposition to Hanson's well-known anti-immigration political position.
Witnesses reported hearing the female protester repeatedly chanting 'Nazis off our streets' during the gathering outside the venue. The woman was later seen attempting to kick another man before being restrained against a wall by security guards, while other protesters continued to blow party whistles at the cinema staff.
High-Security Screening with Police Presence
An attendee who spoke to the Herald Sun described the heightened security measures implemented for the event. "There were a few people that snuck in, they had a line going to make sure they were actually there to see the movie," the individual revealed. "After the movie, they had, like, 20 police waiting in the lobby to make sure everybody left peacefully."
The Melbourne screening, which cost attendees up to $133 per ticket, offered premium experiences including walking an orange carpet, participating in a live Q&A session with the creative team, and accessing exclusive merchandise available only at the premiere events.
Controversial Film Divides Australian Audiences
A Super Progressive Movie presents a satirical exploration of Australia's political landscape through the lens of four 'progressives' whose 'rainbow malfunctions', transporting them to what the film describes as the 'real world' led by Pauline Hanson as Prime Minister. The 90-minute, M-rated animation bills itself as a "satirical feature that dives into Australia's political and cultural chaos with bold humour and sharp commentary."
The film has sparked considerable controversy across Australia, with Village Cinemas initially cancelling the Melbourne screening before reversing their decision following Hanson's personal intervention. The One Nation leader claimed earlier this week that "super progressives" had attempted to cancel screenings "at the last minute," stating: "This country has become so rigidly politically correct and so frightened of giving imaginary offence to imaginary people."
National Tour Faces Continued Protests
The disruption in Melbourne followed similar protests at other screenings during the film's national tour. On Friday evening, the Adelaide premiere was interrupted when protesters marched down Rundle Street chanting "Migrants in, Hanson out." The film had previously premiered in Brisbane on Monday and Sydney on Tuesday, with a Hobart screening scheduled for Saturday.
Hanson has vigorously defended the production, describing it as "a love letter to Australia" despite critics labelling it "the most dangerous movie in Australia." The film currently holds a 4.9 rating on IMDb, where reviews reflect the deep divisions it has created among viewers.
Mixed Critical Reception and Political Commentary
One IMDb reviewer dismissed the film as "pure garbage," writing: "I started watching this movie for a laugh at progressive politics, which are obviously disastrous, but this movie is for people with very low IQ and was a turnoff in minute one. No thanks."
Another viewer offered a more nuanced perspective, suggesting the film presents "a fast-paced rewind to what's happened to Australia," while cautioning that it's "not for the faint-hearted though! Plenty of crude jokes, a bit like an Australian South Park episode!"
The Melbourne venue's decision to reinstate the screening was welcomed by Hanson's supporters, who had invested significant sums to attend the premiere events. The ongoing controversy surrounding the film highlights the deepening political and cultural divisions within contemporary Australian society, with cinema screenings becoming unlikely battlegrounds for ideological conflicts.
