These documentaries, part of something called ‘Curious Australia’, will air every Thursday evening from 4 August. ‘Curious Australia’ supports screen practitioners from under-represented backgrounds in the sector, and aims to bring their authentic, enlightening and powerful stories to screens around the country.
The stories commissioned by SBS are ‘We Are Sexual Beings’ (VicScreen), ‘The Alexander Ball’ (Screen Queensland), ‘Run Girl’ (Screen NSW), and ‘Whatever Scares You’ (VicScreen), while ‘Black Empire’ (South Australian Film Corporation), ‘Sistas in Mining’ (Screen Queensland) and ‘Un-Locked’ (Screen NSW) were commissioned by NITV.
The life experiences explored in ‘Curious Australia’ are far-ranging, from what it’s like to be young, disabled and sexual, to the inspiring story of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman working in a coal mine and aspiring to be a screenwriter.
‘The Alexander Ball’ from Director/Producer Jessica Magro (Purple Carrot Entertainment), has Ballroom culture at its core. The culture originated in the 1960s-70s, founded in New York by Black and Latinx trans women after ongoing discrimination faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. Cut to now – Ballroom culture has expanded across the world. It’s a global movement where competitors known as ‘walkers’ compete in various categories, vying for the win of the grand prize.
Cutthroat and exhilarating, the hypnotising world of Ballroom culture is observed here. It follows Samoan-Australian trans woman of colour, Ella Ganza, as she and her ballroom family prepare for one of the biggest events of the year: The Alexander Ball.
“A massive thank you to Ella and the House for letting us into your world and capturing your raw beauty,” Jessica Magro said in an Instagram post from Purple Carrot Entertainment. “We couldn’t have made this without you and I’m so happy your story gets to be shared in the spotlight to the nation.”
“Here’s to more positive representation for our QBIPOC family, especially our phenomenal trans women of colour. You all deserve every success and more!”
‘Curious Australia’ kicks off on SBS VICELAND and NITV on 4 August with ‘We Are Sexual Beings’. ‘The Alexander Ball’ airs at 8:30pm on 11 August.
