From the Pursuit of Love, to the Journey towards Death, and the Test of Family Ties
Welcome to the world of Untold and Unexplored Stories
Can six individuals with intellectual and learning disabilities learn to love, and be loved? What lies behind the hidden world of the funeral industry? Can family ties suffer in the battle between old and new values? Can one transgender woman’s trailblazing mission change the face of a conservative country town?
This August, the fourth instalment of SBS’s critically acclaimed documentary series Untold Australia explores the life changing milestones of everyday Australians.
SBS Head of Documentaries, Joseph Maxwell said, “Modern Australia is best represented through its multicultural, multilingual and diverse communities and the incredible stories they hold. These stories are waiting to be told, celebrated and most importantly heard by all of Australia. At SBS, we value that and believe in providing a platform. Untold Australia is that platform, a documentary series that takes audiences into the hidden, surprising and diverse worlds that are flourishing around us. These unique documentaries reveal an honest and intimate portrait of Australia today,”
The four-part series premieres on Wednesday, 7 August with Love Me as I Am – a captivating and thought-provoking journey into the world of love and romance. Six unique individuals with intellectual and learning disabilities embark on a trailblazing relationship workshop with relationship coach Liz Dore, to help them in their quest for romance.
This will be followed by Turban Legend on Wednesday, 14 August, a deep dive into the world of Indian Australian entrepreneur Manjit Gujral and his thriving, high-energy hospitality and events dynasty in Sydney’s West. With the patriarch nearing retirement and his two ambitious sons challenging him to modernise the family business, it’s a battle of the old and the new. In this closely entwined family business, if all goes well there’s magic on the horizon. If not, they have everything to lose.
On Wednesday, 21 August, observational documentary The Secret Life of Death lifts the lid on one of the last great taboos – death. The documentary opens a rare window inside one of the oldest family-run funeral homes in Australia – Walter Carter Funerals. Narrated by Rachel Griffiths (Dead Lucky, Six Feet Under), and told from the point of view of two of the funeral home’s youngest and most recent female recruits – one who works with the dead and the other who works with the living.
The series will conclude with Country Town Pride on Wednesday, 28 August that follows the inspirational story of Holly Conroy, a transgender woman from Wagga Wagga, as she bids to stage the first-ever Mardi Gras in this traditionally conservative town. With an official green light from the city council, sponsors, supporters and floats ready to roll, will the locals turn out in force? Or will the town’s conservative population raid on Holly’s parade?
All four documentaries in Untold Australia S4 are produced for SBS with principal production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Create NSW. Love Me As I Am, The Secret Life of Death and Country Town Pride are financed with support from SBS.
Telecast schedule:
· Love Me As I Am (Produced by Southern Pictures) – Wednesday, 7 August, 8.30pm on SBS and Monday, 12 August, 9.30pm on SBS VICELAND
· Turban Legend (Produced by Heiress Films) – Wednesday, 14 August, 8.30pm on SBS and Monday, 19 August, 9.30pm on SBS VICELAND
· The Secret Life of Death (Produced by Mint Pictures & Tangerine Pictures) – Wednesday, 21 August, 8.30pm on SBS and Monday, 26 August, 9.30pm on SBS VICELAND
· Country Town Pride (Produced by Mint Pictures) – Wednesday, 28 August, 8.30pm on SBS and Monday, 2 September, 9.30pm on SBS VICELAND
Untold Australia S4 will also be available on SBS On Demand
Untold Australia Season 4 premieres Wednesday, 7 August at 8.30pm on SBS
