SBS Radio Explores Identity in 70 LanguagesThursday 5 May, 2016
News Release
From 15 May to 5 June, SBS Explores Identity' will examine what makes us who we are - from genetics to our cultural roots, from our shared passions to our individual identities - across the network with the flagship documentary DNA Nation at the centre.
To celebrate, SBS Radio takes an authentic look into the real world of modern Australia's cultural, sub-cultural and passion communities. Through audio, video, online and social media we explore the new normality' of modern Australians and aim to demystify stereotypes along the way.
SBS Radio's in-language programs will talk to people who define themselves by their passions or sub-cultures and will explore the concept of identity; where does our identity come from and what makes us unique?
SBS Director of Audio and Language Content Mandi Wicks said:
Going beyond our many cultures and religions there are so many passions and sub-cultures that unite us. All our language programs we will be exploring and celebrating these stories on radio, online and on social.
SBS Radio has created five short identity-themed documentaries as part of the series, which premiere across multiple platforms. The first is available to watch here.
Meet Australian-Sikh activist and hip hop artist L-Fresh the Lion, then social media expert and cosplay artist Ardella, software engineer and hypnotherapist Andrea, cardiothoracic nurse and salsa dancer Michelle, and Muslim/Atheist gay couple, Shadi and Adam.
For more times and frequencies visit sbs.com.au/radio
For special SBS Explores Identity content visit sbs.com.au/identity
To join the conversation #SBSExploresIdentity
SBS Explores Identity' offers a range of content across the network:
DNA Nation
New three-part documentary premieres 8.30pm Sunday 22 May
Produced by Blackfella Films (First Contact, Redfern Now), DNA Nation follows one of Australia's greatest Olympians Ian Thorpe, iconic Indigenous actor Ernie Dingo, and TV presenter and Queen of Eurovision Julia Zemiro as they set off on an epic journey of genetic time travel to find out where they - and the rest of us - come from.
As Ian, Ernie and Julia follow in the footsteps of their ancient ancestors, they are guided by some of the world's leading experts in genetics, anthropology and archaeology.
They experience life as hunter-gatherers in Tanzania, dig for fossils in the Arabian desert, ride horseback in Kyrgyzstan, and take to the high seas in Timor Leste, discovering the remarkable journeys each of their ancestors made from Africa to Australia over 200,000 years ago.
News and Current Affairs
Insight - I'm Not Who I Thought I Was' - 8.30pm, Tuesday 17 May
Uncovering a family secret can be incredibly disruptive to one's identity. Insight speaks with people who have uncovered something that has left them thinking, I'm not who I thought I was. Guests include a German/Nigerian woman who discovered she is the granddaughter of a high-ranking Nazi concentration camp commandant; an Australian woman who, after being reconnected with her birth mother, found out she was the product of family sexual abuse and incest; and two people who are still searching for answers to their family secrets, using DNA testing to help them.
SBS World News
Throughout SBS Explores Identity', SBS World News will feature ten stories delving deep into the cultural backgrounds of high profile Australians, including performer John Paul Young, arts philanthropists Andrew and Renata Kaldor, Minister for Health, Aged Care and Sport Sussan Ley, and rugby legend Mark Ella.
The Feed
Host Jeanette Francis is testing her DNA to delve into the ethical and somewhat controversial side of testing DNA for the likelihood of developing diseases.
NITV
NITV will feature a host of dedicated Indigenous identity programming.
Talking Language with Ernie Dingo (Wednesdays from 18 May, 9.30pm) is a personal journey providing a unique understanding of how knowledge of Aboriginal languages is shaped by ancestral connections to the land, stars, water, sea and the air we breathe. Ernie visits six people from across Australia whose stories of a spiritual connection to country highlight some of the benefits and current challenges people face maintaining, reviving and creating languages within their communities.
The Point with Stan Grant: DNA Special (Sunday 22 May, 9.30pm) will investigate what it means to understand your identity and culture and what happens when this connection is taken away. Programming will close with movie Tudawali (Sunday 29 May, 9.30pm), Ernie Dingo's outstanding portrayal of Robert Tudawali, the first Aboriginal film star, whose lead role in Jedda is iconic in Australian cinema.
Online
Website
SBS Online will curate all the content from across the network on a special SBS Explores Identity' page, including the SBS Radio short documentaries, a collection of original articles, videos and news stories, as well as a DNA Nation topic page with opinion pieces from the program participants and a series of pieces examining the science behind the episodes.
sbs.com.au/identity
Social media
SBS will host a Facebook Live Q&A with Dr Mitchell, DNA expert from DNA Nation, at 9.30pm on Sunday 22 May, following the first episode of the series. Join in the conversation on the SBS Australia Facebook page.
SBS will also be bringing together and sharing the wide range of content being produced across the network exploring identity throughout May and June, using the hashtag #SBSExploresIdentity.
Australians can find out how unique their cultural background is with SBS's Ancestry Mixer. The last Census revealed we're made up of over 300 different cultural ancestries, with thousands of hybrid mixes. How unique is your trib
