On 11 October in 1991, Jack Karlson was apprehended by Queensland Police at a Chinese restaurant in Fortitude Valley – and his Shakespearean response would go down in history.
The confrontation, which was caught on news cameras, spawned countless memorable quotes including “this is democracy manifest” and “what is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?”. It’s now deeply embedded in the Australian cultural psyche.
The aptly-titled ‘The Man Who Ate A Succulent Chinese Meal’ is a new documentary telling the story of Jack Karlson’s fascinating life before and after the infamous public arrest. It’s directed by Heath Davis and produced by Tim Randall – both were fascinated by the video growing up as well as the many mysteries surrounding Jack’s life.
“I vividly recall watching the news in 1991 as a high school kid and was just captivated by it. I'd never seen anything like it. It was hilarious, original and courageous,” Heath Davis says. “Who acts like that to the cops? I remember thinking, who was this guy and then never hearing of it again.”
“Then, of course, it was brought to the forefront of my attention again when it went viral decades later and, like everyone else, I found myself asking that same question – who is this guy that's referenced by millions daily.”
The initial motivation behind the documentary was to focus on the comedic aspects of the story – given the virality and meme-able nature of the original video – but soon, the filmmakers realised it was not going to be the light-hearted film they had set out to make.
“He really is an enigma and I wanted to find out the truth. And it just so happens to be that Jack is one of the most fascinating human beings I've ever encountered with the most fascinating life story I've ever heard,” Heath continues. “Usually, I have to conjure the narrative but here it was already written and, best of all, it's all true. I also have an affinity with the Aussie larrikin and underdog and Jack epitomises that classic Aussie archetype.”
“Ever since I first saw the video I’ve just had a fascination with it. It never made any sense to me. I assumed he was a British Theatre actor who just had too many drinks and wouldn’t leave. Why else would he talk like that? Why else would the press be there? But then no one seemed to know who he was,” Tim Randall says.
“Years later when articles started to come out about Jack, I could see that other people were asking the same questions and then to find out he was actually out there living in rural Queensland I just knew there would be more to his story.”
To celebrate the film, Jack will be visiting his old stomping ground – The China Sea restaurant in Milton. . . Where the arrest took place.
“Aah to visit the lovely China sea restaurant once again,” Jack says. “The scene of where the injustice happened all those many years ago. I look forward to seeing the fellow who runs the place and having one of his succulent meals, I will of course be paying in cash as always.”
‘The Man Who Ate A Succulent Chinese Meal’ is currently slated for a March 2025 release.
