Watch Charmian Clift: Life Burns High for free

Charmian Clift was one of the finest writers Australia has ever produced, with a popular touch which led hundreds of thousands of readers eagerly to anticipate her weekly newspaper column. She had movie star looks, a brilliant writing career and a passionate, creative and tumultuous marriage to fellow Australian writer, George Johnston. Yet the sacrifice of security for the bohemian romance of life on a Greek island with its famous friends including Leonard Cohen; parties, drinking, love affairs and poverty, led to her death by suicide at forty-six. There is a revival of interest in Clift and her writing because of her clear vision on so many issues which still trouble Australia.