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Returning: Where Are You Really From?

Comedian Michael Hing returns to SBS, challenging perceptions about identity and immigration.

Comedian Michael Hing returns to SBS with Season 2 of Where Are You Really From? in June.

The 4-part series is produced internally by the team from The Feed challenging perceptions about identity and immigration.

“In a time when Australia seems to be more divided than ever, telling these stories of incredible people overcoming hardship, changing their communities and often making new lives for themselves has been one of the most rewarding projects I’ve ever worked on. It’s an absolute privilege to bring these stories to Australians because in a way, they are representative of a lot of stories all migrant communities go through, and they shine a light on the bright and inclusive future we can be a part of,” said Michael Hing.

What does it mean to have your identity as an Australian constantly questioned? To be asked, not just where you’re from, but where you’re really from?

It’s a question that comedian Michael Hing still gets asked in 2019 – even though the Hing family migrated to Australia more than a hundred years and five generations ago.

In order to understand how other people respond to the question, season 2 of Where Are You Really From? follows Michael to four rural and suburban communities where he meets a diverse mix of Australians.

Playful but moving, the series explores the complex issues of cultural heritage and identity, and the way our assumptions around what an Australian looks like impact our understanding of what it means to be Australian. Where Are You Really From? connects wider Australia to a history and to communities many people would not be aware of.

Michael meets Italian families that overcame racism and World War II internment to become the beating heart of the Far North Queensland town of Ingham. He then travels to Katanning, a Western Australian community of 4,000 people and more than 40 different nationalities. He also heads to the Barossa Valley to learn about the forgotten history of the German-speaking refugees and their fight to save the Barossa-German dialect passed down for nearly 200 years. In the final episode, Michael joins the Assyrian community of Fairfield, many that fled warzones to make new home in Western Sydney.

Their stories test perceptions of Australian identity and highlight the ways in which cultural expectations and stereotypes can impact people.

…On multicultural Australia

“We are a nation, of so many colours, so many races that makes this country.” Alep Mydie, The Imam of Katanning, WA.

…On his Italian heritage

“I’m born in the lucky country Australia but the blood in my veins is from the greatest culture on earth and that’s Italian.” Andrew Lancini, Halifax, QLD.

…On the Barossa’s forgotten history

“Some of the first boat people came here and you know, look what’s happened since then.” Stephen Henschke, Winemaker, Barossa Valley, SA.

…On growing up in Australia

“I fell in love with the country, because I could see so much that I could do that I couldn’t before. In other countries they could only dream of what we have and that’s what sad.” Albie Aldahawi, Wrestler, Fairfield, NSW.

Wednesday, 19 June at 8pm on SBS.

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