“This year’s six nominees for Best Documentary – Clean, Everybody’s Oma, River, Ithaka, Ablaze and Franklin – range from human-centred stories following the lives of Australian figures, to informative productions that allow for greater understanding of the world we live in,” says AACTA Awards and Industry Development Manager, Ivan Vukusic. “After receiving a high volume of competitive entries, we are proud to have a line-up of nominees that delve into moving real life stories and issues. We can be reminded that Australia is responsible for producing some of the best documentaries available globally.”
It is indeed a fascinating collection of documentaries. Directed by indigenous opera singer turned filmmaker Tiriki Onus, Ablaze cogently investigates the legacy of the director’s grandfather Bill Onus, a civil rights activist, artist, performer and entrepreneur. “It is a fantastic honour for Ablaze to be nominated for best documentary,” says Tiriki Onus. “Our thanks go to all who supported getting the story of the first Indigenous Filmmaker Bill Onus recognised.”
Based on the fascinating book by The Trauma Cleaner by Sarah Krasnostein, Clean tells the extraordinary story of Sandra Pankhurst, a trans woman and former sex worker, drag queen, funeral director and suburban parent who now runs Melbourne’s Specialized Trauma Cleaning Services. “Clean is a tribute to Sandra Pankhurst and her incredible team of trauma cleaners who approach their work with care, compassion and camaraderie,” says the film’s director Lachlan McLeod. “We’re thrilled that our film has been nominated amongst such a strong field of Australian documentaries, and can’t thank Sandra enough for sharing her story and legacy with us.”
A deeply personal and truly from-the-heart documentary, Everybody’s Oma features a collection of videos (many shot on phones) shot by director Jason Van Genderen that detail his family’s relationship with Oma, their Dutch matriarch living with dementia. “The whole creative team is so thrilled to see our family’s story has resonated so richly, not just with Australian audiences, but with our AACTA industry colleagues as well,” says Jason Van Genderen. “We’re so honoured to be nominated amongst such insightful documentaries this year.”
A poetic meld of the personal and political, the emotionally affecting Franklin follows one man’s personal journey while also documenting the famous 1980s campaign to stop the damming of Tasmania’s Franklin River and prevent an avaricious act of environmental vandalism. “We are absolutely thrilled to be nominated for Best Documentary at the AACTAs,” says Franklin producer Chris Kamen. “Franklin is a people-powered film, some ten years in the making, and dedicated to all those who took action to save that precious river 40 years ago. As younger filmmakers, we feel privileged and grateful to be bringing the inspiring story of the Franklin campaign to a new generation – which is more important now than ever.”
A tough minded look at justice and politics, Ithaka is brilliantly directed by Ben Lawrence (Ghosthunter, Hearts And Bones) and follows the torturous campaign of 76-year-old retired builder, John Shipton, to save his son, Julian Assange, from a life behind bars. “Ithaka is a beautifully crafted portrait of the people at the centre of a world-wide struggle to protect our most basic democratic rights – to know what our governments do in our name,” says producer Gabriel Shipton. “The nomination from AACTA and its members is a strong signal to all the supporters who have been fighting for Julian’s freedom for years, that we are not alone, and one day soon Julian will be free!”
Narrated by the great Willem Dafoe, River explores the tumultuous and complex relationship between humans and rivers and is the sequel to twice nominated and three-time AACTA award winning Documentary Mountain (2017), directed by Jennifer Peedom. “We’re honoured to be nominated for the AACTA Award for Best Documentary after what has been a trying few years for the industry and a reminder of the importance and power of Australian cinema,” says Jennifer Peedom. “River was made during lockdown and emerged from a remarkable collaboration between many talented artists… this is a film that explores a concept very close to our hearts, the vital and intricate relationship between humans and nature.”
Showcasing the best documentary filmmaking in Australia, these are six absolute must-sees…
For more on The AACTA Awards, head to the official website.
