Jacki Weaver will take a deep dive into a forgotten vault of 1970s films in the new SBS documentary series Australia: An Unofficial History, premiering Wednesday the 5th of March at 7.30 pm on SBS and SBS On Demand.
Joined by an all-star panel, including Phillip Noyce AO, Benjamin Law, Jan Fran, Zoë Coombs Marr, Leila Gurruwiwi, Rachael Maza, and Dr Gary Foley, Weaver revisits films that pushed boundaries, tackled taboo topics, and amplified marginalised voices.
Unearthed from the National Film and Sound Archive, this three-part series showcases rare, never-before-seen productions that exposed post-natal depression, Australia’s hidden Valium epidemic, and the early days of LGBTI activism – as well as hilariously awkward tourism reels selling a vision of Australia to the world.
More than just forgotten cinema, these films capture the seismic social shifts of the era – from the end of White Australia to the rise of multiculturalism, Indigenous rights, feminism, and the gay liberation movement.
Drawing from the archives of Film Australia, which aimed to craft an ‘official portrait’ of the nation, Australia: An Unofficial History instead reveals a raw, unfiltered look at a country in transformation.
SBS commissioning editor for documentaries, Bethan Arwel-Lewis, said: “As SBS celebrates its 50th year, Australia: An Unofficial History comes as a hugely timely exploration of the moments that have shaped our national identity. National treasure Weaver is the perfect guide to take us on a deeply nostalgic journey through the ‘70s.
“Featuring never seen before archival footage that will shock, entertain and move audiences, this extraordinary series challenges what we thought we knew about the ‘70s and embodies SBS’s commitment to uncovering the stories that define our nation.”
Jacki Weaver in a vintage TV ad.
Producer and Stranger Than Fiction co-founder Jo-anne McGowan said: “In this series through largely unseen archive, we clearly see what has and has not changed in Australia in the past 50 years. The wins and the losses. It’s a powerful reflection on who we were then, and who we are now.”
Meanwhile, Screen Australia’s head of documentary Richard Huddleston said: “Australia: An Unofficial History opens up a treasure chest of archival gold that the government created to sell ‘brand’ Australia. This rich tapestry is a roller coaster ride; funny and jaw dropping in places but contentious and provocative in others. This cultural crash course in our collective history has all the hallmarks of a Stranger Than Fiction beautifully-crafted documentary.”