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New docos for ABC

Docos tackle racial vilification, dance theatre and natural history.

 

ABC this week announced three new documentaries: The Australian Dream, Australia Remastered and Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra.

Josie Mason-Campbell, Head of Factual and Entertainment, ABC, said: “Documentary and factual content are a vital part of what makes the ABC distinctive, providing us with opportunities to tell Australian stories in authentic, ambitious and innovative ways. Factual and documentary programs – across our Factual, Indigenous, Arts, Science, Regional & Local and ABC Children’s teams – bring people together to explore and understand issues that matter to them. Our creative partnerships with all levels of the external production community are invaluable and we are thrilled to announce productions with Good Thing Productions, WildBear Entertainment and In Films, delivering more outstanding content to audiences across the country.”

Written by Stan Grant and featuring Adam Goodes, The Australian Dream chronicles the national conversation that took place after Goodes was racially vilified during an AFL match. That event and Goodes’ response led to years of abuse at games, fueling heated radio talkback and commentary.

Owing to the stress caused by overt and prolonged expressions of racism, Goodes – dual Brownlow Medallist and Australian of the Year – retired from the game. This feature length documentary is an Official Co-production from Good Thing Productions and Passion Pictures (UK) with Madman Distribution.

Nick Batzias, Good Things Productions, said: “Good Thing are thrilled to be working with Passion Pictures UK producing The Australian Dream. In collaborating with Adam Goodes, director Dan Gordon, writer Stan Grant and a host of contributors, we have the best opportunity to not only tell Adam’s story accurately, but to generate important conversations about Australia’s past, present and future in the context of an international feature documentary.” Principal production investment from Screen Australia in association with Film Victoria.

In a major new commission, Australia Remastered unlocks the rich ABC archive to tell timeless stories reinvigorated with the latest discoveries in Natural History, History and Science. Over decades, pioneering researchers and Australia’s best cinematographers have identified and captured the crucial moments across our nation’s history. Produced by WildBear Entertainment, Australia Remastered presents films that draw on this legacy along with new insights to create eight individual documentary series: five Natural History series, two Science History series and one World History series.

Alan Erson, Managing Director, WildBear Entertainment, said: “Diving this deeply into the archive across so many genres is a reminder of why the ABC matters; the great range of material, the depth and the consistent intelligence with which it was made. And it’s all about us, our view of our country and the world.”

ABC Commercial will serve as the worldwide distributor of the series.

In 2019, Australia’s most unique dance company celebrates its 30th anniversary. Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra tells the story of Bangarra Dance Theatre through the eyes of their long standing and charismatic artistic director, Stephen Page. A stunning hybrid of factual and dramatic storytelling produced by Ivan O’Mahoney at In Films and co-directed by acclaimed filmmakers Wayne Blair and Nel Minchin, the film will convey key moments in the Bangarra story in evocative dance sequences, exclusively choreographed for the film. The project received principal production investment from Screen Australia in association with Create NSW.

Directors Wayne Blair and Nel Minchin said: “The story of the last 30 years of Bangarra not only gives us amazing access to one of the most creative companies in the world, but it is also a window into the harsh reality of what life is like for Indigenous people in this country.

“Through unparalleled beauty and devastating pain, the resilience and passion of people like Stephen and his dancers make for an indomitable force. This documentary gives us a chance to celebrate an unbelievable story.”

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