SBS today announced the commissioning of a second series of observational documentary series Struggle Street.
The six-part documentary will shine a light on social and economic disadvantage in Australia through a raw and compassionate account of individual and community stories of challenge, triumph and adversity.
Struggle Street series one gave a voice to Australians doing it tough, sparking a national conversation about disadvantage caused by a range of circumstances and factors, including poverty, unemployment, drug abuse, violence and physical and mental illness.
Series two will continue this crucial national conversation, through personal stories that touch on the lives of Australians from diverse backgrounds struggling against the odds.
SBS Television and Online Content Director, Marshall Heald, said: “At the heart of SBS is a commitment to contributing to a cohesive society. Struggle Street will seek to raise awareness and deepen our understanding of those of us in the community facing social and economic hardship through an honest reflection of what it’s like to be doing it tough in Australia today.”
SBS Chief Content Officer, Helen Kellie, said: “There are 2.5 million people in Australia living below the poverty line. Some research points to the situation getting worse, not better and this is a barrier to social cohesion. But the statistics don’t allow us to connect with the real stories in a way that Struggle Street does, to raise awareness about hardship.”
Struggle Street series two will be produced by Keo Films, producers of series one, with funding support from Screen Australia and Film Victoria.
Keo Films Director of Programs, David Galloway, said: “Struggle Street is a candid and powerful account of the lives of people struggling in Australia today. We anticipate stories of resilience, community support and family love in what will be compelling and insightful storytelling that doesn’t shy away from the realities of hardship faced by millions of people across the country.”
Screen Australia Senior Manager of Documentary, Liz Stevens, said: “The first series of Struggle Street provoked a unique and important discussion about the extent and effects of poverty in Australia. Screen Australia hopes the second series of Struggle Street will raise further awareness of these complex problems and the networks and services that provide essential and sometimes lifesaving support to their communities.”
Film Victoria CEO, Jenni Tosi, said: “Social and financial inequality are issues that affect the well-being of many Australians. Supporting Struggle Street and SBS in their aims to increase awareness of these challenges has the potential to promote tolerance, empathy and a call to positive action.”
Struggle Street series two will be filmed in Queensland and Victoria exploring, through personal stories, challenges such as industry downturn and transition, unemployment and other issues of social and economic hardship which reflect the challenges of Australians across the whole country. The series will air in late 2017.