Robbie Williams performs free public gig in Melbourne for Better Man movie

“When I’ve got a single out, an album out, I don’t even bother to tell anybody. But here I am telling you about this film because it’s incredibly important to me, my family and also the good people of Melbourne and Australia,” he said.

Better Man was largely made at Docklands Studios Melbourne over three years from 2022. It was co-written and directed by Michael Gracey, the Melbourne-born filmmaker behind The Greatest Showman, which starred Hugh Jackman as circus impresario P.T. Barnum.

The Victorian government claims it is the biggest film ever made in the state, creating 3000 jobs and injecting $142 million into the economy. The project is likely to have lasting benefits too, with Peter Jackson’s world-leading VFX company, Weta, setting up shop here to create the film’s digital “monkey” (technically an ape).

“Without Melbourne and Australia, this film wouldn’t exist,” said Williams. “These green eyes are beaming gratitude.

The movie, he added, is “a narcissist’s dream. It’s all about me. I wrote the songs, I said the words, I lived the life.”

The movie opened on Boxing Day to a respectable $1.8 million, but strong word of mouth has helped its box office lift 25 per cent in its second week.

“My favourite part about the movie – and it’s strange at the same time – is it is touching people on a very profound level,” said Williams. “If you don’t leave the cinema having cried, you’re either a sociopath or you’ve found the right meds.

“It is the greatest hits of my trauma. Every 12 seconds, something bad happens to me. And if you like bad things happening to me, this is your film. The whole thing is just a beautiful blessing.”

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About half an hour before Williams took to the stage at 5pm, organisers began diverting the crowd to Birrarung Marr, as Fed Square, which holds 10,000 people, had reached capacity.

The first fans started arriving about 6am. Some, like Emily – with whom Williams chatted during the show – had never seen him before because, she said, “I’ve always been broke”. Williams promised her tickets for the next time he plays here, and a meet and greet before that show too.

If he comes, that is. “And then Robbie got on a plane, never to be seen again,” he joked.

Others have seen him perform many times. Sharnee, from Melbourne’s east, said she had been to 15 of Williams’ concerts since 2003, including one at Rod Laver Arena in 2022 that was staged for Better Man.

Before her 16th Williams gig on Thursday, she said she was trembling. “I’m feeling very excited, and I [have] a little bit of adrenaline,” she said. After the show, she was off to the Astor in St Kilda, for a sold-out gala screening with Williams again in attendance.

VicScreen chief executive Caroline Pitcher said Williams had shown “incredible faith in the Victorian screen industry by placing his life story in its hands”.

“Better Man is proof that the Victorian screen industry is as good as the best in the world,” she said.

With Gabriela Sumampow