What Does Australia Really Think… set to release on SBS 18 August
Joined Up Films new documentary series hosted by Kurt Fearnley, Noni Hazlehurst and Casey Donovan premieres 8.30pm, 18 August, on SBS
The three-part series, What Does Australia Really Think… is set to explore the effects stigma and prejudice have on Australians, by focusing on our perceptions of disability, obesity, and ageing. The series features three hosts, each with a tangible connection to the prejudice the series seeks to explore.
The series features hosts Kurt Fearnley – a five-time Paralympian who believes people are not disabled by their bodies, but rather by society; Noni Hazlehurst – a prominent figure in Australian Media for the past 45 years who is disturbed by the media’s stereotypical portrayal of the elderly; and Australian Idol Winner Casey Donovan – who after winning the competition at the age of 16, has experienced a barrage of negative and ongoing commentary about her weight.
The series has ties to the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University and University of Queensland, as these institutions lead research projects into Australian attitudes towards disability, the elderly, and obesity.
With research serving to solidify our perceptions, the series is set to explore how these ideas can be challenged through a series of hidden camera experiments, conducted on ordinary Australians. Whilst some examples of behavior in these experiments are disheartening, they also portray examples of ordinary Australians standing up against discrimination.
Rikki Lea Bestall, CEO of Screenwest said, “Screenwest, with the support of Lotterywest, was pleased to support Joined Up Films to produce this important series for SBS. It seeks to shed light on societal attitudes towards issues that are relevant, and pressing. We hope the series will provide insight into ways in which members of society may be superficially discriminated against, and to highlight how all members of our local and national communities can create positive and lasting change for a more inclusive society.”
What Does Australia Really Think… premieres 8:30pm Wednesday, 18 August on SBS and SBS On Demand. The three-part series continues weekly. Episodes will be repeated at 10.15pm Mondays on SBS VICELAND from 23 August.
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