Kurt Cobain has been so idolised and mythologised in the 20 years since his death, it's easy to lose sight of the actual person he was. In fact, he's turned into the opposite of what he ever wanted in rock music: a cliche. 

For the first time since then it feels that distance between man and rockstar will be crossed, with HBO's documentary Montage of Heck. Directed by Brett Morgen, and executive produced by Frances Bean, Heck will slice back the layers of historicised hyperbole with never-before-seen home movies, in-depth interviews (even Courtney Love sounds sane), and unearthed artistic projects of Cobain's.  

The doco, which has already screened at Sundance and Berlinale to rave reviews (and set to screen at SXSW next week), will be televised on May 4 on HBO, and hopefully that will include an Australian version of HBO Now.

Watch the two-and-a-half minute promo and try not to feel a lump in your throat.