Over the past year, Australian televisions have been graced with what seems like an unusual amount of local drama. It's been high quality, gripping, devastating- and free-to-air. The ABC in particular have stepped up, providing us with telemovies and serials such as Mabo, Jack Irish and Redfern Now. Channel Ten's Puberty Blues and Nine's Howzat: Kerry Packer's War might not have had the same level of social importance as recent telemovies on the ABC (A Dangerous Remedy, Devil's Dust), but they were both great dramas showcasing real talent.
This is a good thing. Imports from Britain and the US are awesome, and there is much amazing storytelling from all over the world that we can appreciate. As any undergraduate arts student will know all too well, we are living in a globalised world where national boundaries seem to be becoming less and less important. So why does it matter whether we have good Australian drama?
It matters because there are stories here, both true and fictional, that need to be told. We need to know about Australian lives, like Bernie Banton's and those of everyone affected by asbestos. We need serials like Redfern Now, because Australia is not just one big extension of Ramsay St. These stories matter- and we have the talent to be able to tell them.
We have actors that deserve to be seen, who can make Australian storytelling great. People like Anthony Hayes (Devil's Dust), Deborah Mailman (Mabo, Redfern Now) and Don Hany (Devil's Dust) can do amazing things, and Foxtel should not be the only place we can see acting of this calibre.
Dramas like Devil's Dust can show us that our country has been far from perfect over its history, but that there are people out there who are capable of taking of a stand when something isn't right. We need drama like this, and drama that shows our diversity and makes sure we don't forget what has passed. You can mock our film and television industries all you want, but the past few months have shown that these industries are capable of greatness, and they deserve to be recognised.
We have actors that deserve to be seen, who can make Australian storytelling great. People like Anthony Hayes (Devil's Dust), Deborah Mailman (Mabo, Redfern Now) and Don Hany (Devil's Dust) can do amazing things, and Foxtel should not be the only place we can see acting of this calibre.
Dramas like Devil's Dust can show us that our country has been far from perfect over its history, but that there are people out there who are capable of taking of a stand when something isn't right. We need drama like this, and drama that shows our diversity and makes sure we don't forget what has passed. You can mock our film and television industries all you want, but the past few months have shown that these industries are capable of greatness, and they deserve to be recognised.
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