From road trips around Australia to investigations into history, disease (and couples therapy!), plus some musical entertainment, take a dive into these essential documentaries, all streaming now at SBS On Demand or coming to SBS VICELAND.
Pandemic 2020
The epic story of how people around the world lived through the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, from lockdowns to funerals to protests. Filmed across the globe and using extensive personal video and local footage, this three-part documentary series shows how people and countries responded to COVID-19 across cultures, races, faiths and privilege.
Going Places With Ernie Dingo
In this captivating series Ernie Dingo explores Australia’s most iconic destinations, and lesser-known corners, meeting traditional owners and others who live and work in these amazing places. Across four seasons, Ernie has visited everywhere from popular destinations such as Kakadu to Kangaroo Island to small communities such as Yirrkala. During his travels, he meets local Elders, artists, musicians and more.
The full four seasons of Going Places with Ernie Dingo are streaming now . Start at the beginning with season 1:
Couples Therapy
This documentary series from the US follows four couples in their weekly therapy sessions. Guided by world-class therapist, Dr Orna Guralnik, the couples move through struggles, confrontations and breakthroughs. This insightful series unlocks the hidden world of other people’s relationships, and
Season 1 of Couples Therapy plus one-hour special Couples Therapy: The COVID Special are . Season 2, featuring four new couples, premieres on SBS VICELAND on Tuesday 15 June with a double episode. Start here with season 1:
Adam Liaw’s Road Trip for Good
Small towns are at the heart of regional Australian life. In this food and travel series, Adam Liaw is on the road to visit some of the most beautiful parts of the country and to discover the sources of some of the best food Australia has to offer. Many of these regional communities were hit hard by the summer bushfires of 2019–20, but as Adam discovers, the thing that gives these regions their strength and resilience is strong community spirit. In each episode, Adam also collects produce from the areas he visits, then returns to his kitchen to cook delicious, simple meals. (Get links to all the recipes in the Episode Guide .)
Adam Liaw’s Road Trip for Good is streaming now . It is also available with Hindi, Arabic, Korean and simplified Chinese subtitles.
See What You Made Me Do
A “probing, compassionate, respectful and ultimately important inquiry into the scourge of domestic abuse in Australia” (The Australian), revelatory documentary series See What You Made Me Do explores an epidemic that is showing no signs of slowing down. Hosted by investigative journalist, Jess Hill, and inspired by her award-winning book of the same name, this three-part series looks at the shocking number of Australians who have been subjected to domestic abuse and the many shapes abuse can take, talks to survivors and asks what needs to be done to keep women and children safer.
is streaming now . The series is also available with subtitles in multiple languages.
If this documentary raises issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, please call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit . For counselling, advice and support for men who have anger, relationship or parenting issues, call the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit .
Black Lives Matter: A Global Reckoning
Following the 2020 police killing of George Floyd, people around the world rallied not only to show solidarity in the fight against police brutality in the US, but also to confront their own countries’ unique issues with racism.
Australia in Colour
A huge effort went into this series, which brings Australia’s past to vivid life. Photographs, advertisements and clips from feature films, newsreels and home movies have all been colourised through many hours of painstaking work and consultation with experts. Australia in Colour shows a new view of history with moments in time brought to life for the first time in stunning colour. Narrated by Hugo Weaving, the two seasons of this documentary series reflect the nation’s character, attitudes and politics.
Seasons 1 and 2 of Australia in Colour are streaming now They are also available with subtitles in several languages.
Punk
This four-part docu-series explores the history of punk music featuring global music icons. Interspersing stories from America’s punk pioneers with those of UK bands of the same ilk looking to conquer the USA, Punk defines the genre’s American DNA and explores its subsequent propagation across the Atlantic. It features a seamless blend of rare and unseen photos and gritty video, a crackling soundtrack of punk hits and misses, original interviews and VIP access to the scene’s biggest movers and shakers.
Addicted Australia
Addicted Australia is a bold, revelatory and inspiring documentary that puts a spotlight on Australia’s addiction crisis in the most powerful and deeply personal way. In a television first, the four-part series follows 10 Australians and their families as they battle addiction, having signed up to a unique six-month treatment program. Their heart-wrenching journey from despair to hope and possible recovery is deeply compelling viewing, and shows that addiction affects almost every Australian in some way.
Addicted Australia is streaming now . Also available with Vietnamese and simplified Chinese subtitles.
The Vietnam War
Directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, this 10-part series about the divisive Vietnam conflict took 10 years to make. Featuring interviews with more than 70 people, including combatants and anti-war protesters, rarely seen archival footage, home movies, photographs and more, the series was an epic production that takes a close look at the forces that brought nations to war and how it unfolded.
Untold Australia
This thought-provoking documentary series explores the life-changing milestones of everyday Australians. Season 5 tells the story of how a troupe of drag queens rescued a bowling club; visits the isolated town of Birdsville; and follows four Australians with a stutter trying to find their voices. In season 4, it shares four great stories: Can six individuals with intellectual and learning disabilities find love? What lies behind the hidden world of the funeral industry? How do family ties suffer in the battle between old and new values? Will a transgender woman succeed in her mission to stage a Mardi Gras in a country town?
Seasons 4 and 5 of (plus four documentaries from previous seasons) are now streaming at . Many episodes are also available with subtitles in various languages.
Australia Come Fly With Me
Justine Clarke investigates the turbulent history of Australians in the air, from the daredevil aviators who lifted spirits of Australians after World War I to globetrotting migrants and people with great visions, revealing bravery, social injustice and the changing face of flying.
Australia Come Fly With Me is streaming . Episodes are also available with and Simplified subtitles.
PLUS COMING SOON TO SBS VICELAND:
QAnon: The Search For Q
Source: SBS VICELAND
