Documentaries
Attenborough got Opera House film made; NSW made sure it was never seen again – or so they thought
A meat cleaver was taken to the 1968 documentary, which detailed the cost-cutting and compromises that led to the resignation of Danish architect Jørn Utzon, in the basement of the BBC.
- by Julie Power
Latest
For the millions of new fans, this Matildas documentary is must-see TV
On the pitch, we can’t take our eyes off them. For the down time between games, try this series, in which Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter, Mary Fowler, Steph Catley and others talk about their journey to the World Cup.
- by Kerrie O'Brien
What happens when private lives become public fodder?
A new US documentary is a cautionary tale about the risks involved when filmmakers invite real people to participate in documentaries about events that are of public interest.
- by Tom Ryan
What does Australia ‘sound’ like? New show lends an ear
ABC radio producer Ann Jones has embarked on an entertaining and fact-filled mission to capture Australia’s unique sounds in The Soundtrack of Australia.
- by Ben Pobjie
Music
Pop culture
Rodriguez, Searching for Sugar Man singer with an aura of mystery, dies at 81
The Detroit singer-songwriter was championed decades after his 1970 debut album by fans in Australia and South Africa, and became the subject of an Oscar-winning documentary.
- by Harrison Smith
How did Ye get here? Five things we learn in the new Kanye West documentary
The Trouble With KanYe investigates how Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, one of America’s most celebrated artists, became a megaphone for hate and division.
- by Thomas Mitchell
‘He’d hate it, so I’m doing it’: Telling the Michael Gudinski story
Director Paul Goldman spills the beans on the troubled journey to screen of a documentary about Mushroom group founder and Oz rock pioneer Michael Gudinski.
- by Karl Quinn
They’re the voice: The high-schoolers who made a John Farnham musical
This Is Going To Be Big is a high school coming of age movie with a difference, and it’s an absolute delight.
- by Karl Quinn
How and why does a person go ‘missing’? New doco tries to find answers
Documentary maker Laurie Critchley is used to difficult topics; her latest series, Missing Persons Investigation, wades into challenging personal and ethical terrain.
- by Ben Pobjie
The Staircase ruined Margie’s life. Now she’s taking it back
For the past two decades she’s had to live with the fact her family’s trauma was documented. Now she wants to make sure others don’t go through the same.
- by Karl Quinn
Anthony LaPaglia’s personal dive into the Mafia’s history in Australia
The acclaimed actor has a personal stake in the ABC’s new three-part documentary series about the history of the mafia in Australia.
- by Debi Enker