Drop-In Docos

Autumn Program – Truth and Fantasy 

Reality meets lived experiences in our Autumn Drop-In Docos selection at the NFSA. Echoing the truth and fantasy theme of the Autumn Film Series in Arc Cinema, this season spotlights cinéma vérité and authentic storytelling that explores the tension between perception and reality. Observational and intimate in style, these documentaries offer powerful glimpses into the lives of everyday Australians and invite audiences to see contemporary Australia from new perspectives.  

The Man Who Can't Stop   

1973 | Not Classified | 58 mins | AUS | D: Michael Rubbo 

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A man ahead of his time, Francis Sutton was passionate about saving the NSW Central Coast coastline from sewage discharged via ocean outfalls.  Sutton’s tireless efforts irritated experts and decision-makers alike, and yet he fearlessly met authorities head on and persisted in pushing his ideas. He advocated for an inland storage and irrigation system as an alternative to seaboard disposal of sewage. 

The Man Who Can’t Stop offers a compelling retrospective on individual commitment to environmental action. This was at a time when less attention was given to humanity’s impact on the natural environment and the importance of conservation. 

A co-production of Film Australia and the National Film Board of Canada. © National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. 

Our Multicultural Society – Series 1   

1978 | Not Classified | 105 mins | AUS | D: Linda Blagg, Debby Kingsland, Phillip Noyce, David Roberts, Michael Rubetzki 

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Our Multicultural Society explores Australia’s cultural diversity. The eleven documentaries in this first series explore issues around identity, community, communication and lifestyle. They consider specific problems or challenges faced by individuals or groups and look at both similarities and differences. The people featured in the series range from new arrivals and second-generation Australians to First Nations Australians. 

 
A Film Australia Production. © National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. 

Roller Derby Dolls     

2008 | Not Classified | 26 mins | AUS | D: Phoebe Hart 

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A revolution is brewing in the sprawling outer suburbs of Brisbane. A sassy group of women unite to resurrect the lost sport of full-contact roller derby in Australia. Evil Doll is the team’s president and, despite having no experience in business, the roller girls set up a roller derby league. It is one of 220 derby leagues now dotted around the globe.  

Full-contact roller derby was born in the United States in the 1920s and took off around the world before fading into obscurity in the 1980s. Driven by the passion of suburban women, it has sprung up again thirty years later. The women are nurses, artists, tattooists and driving instructors, rebels, misfits, rockabillies and punks - wives and mothers by day, hell on wheels at night. Many are heavily tattooed and pierced, living lifestyles out of step with mainstream society. But on the rink, they are a team, setting aside their daily lives, adopting derby names such as Doris Daynger and Nicky Knockout and wearing fishnet stockings, hotpants, striped socks, corsets and studded belts.  

Roller Derby Dolls is a story of female empowerment, friendship and struggles—all on old-school roller skates. 

A Film Australia National Interest Program in association with Freshwater Productions and the Pacific Film and Television Commission. Produced in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 

© National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. 

The Last Great Amateurs   

2002 | Not Classified | 55.3 mins | AUS | D: Sue Thomson 

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The women of Melbourne Phoenix Netball Club put their personal lives and other careers on hold, training to exhaustion at least six times a week for the love of their sport and a shot at glory. The players are considered among the best in the world and are in an era of multimillion dollar sporting competitions. Yet the clubs in the National Netball League operate on shoestring budgets and are run largely by volunteers. Despite fielding one of the league’s most successful teams, reigning champions the Phoenix are struggling financially, forcing players to add to their workload by holding fundraising activities. Behind the scenes, the women must give their all to meet the extraordinary demands of their elite-level amateur sport. On top of injury worries, some are fighting at the negotiating table to join their male sporting counterparts as true professionals. 

The Last Great Amateurs follows the players, coach and management through a year of pain and passion, rivalry and camaraderie, fundraising raffles and contract battles. To watch these talented and dedicated sportswomen on the court is remarkable but the story of how they make it there is equally enthralling. 

A Film Australia National Interest Program in association with Apollo Films. Developed with the assistance of the Australian Film Commission and Film Victoria. Produced with the assistance of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. © National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. 

Our Multicultural Society – Series 2   

1979 | Not Classified | 90 mins | AUS | D: James Ricketson, Richard Mordaunt, Gillian Leahy, Curtis Levy, David Roberts, Tony Wheeler, Nick Torrens, Michael Robertson, Philip Noyce, Meg Stewart  

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Our Multicultural Society explores Australia’s cultural diversity. The nine documentaries in this second series explore issues around identity, community, communication, and lifestyle. They consider specific problems or challenges faced by particular individuals or groups, and look at our similarities and differences. The people featured in the series range from new arrivals and second generation Australians to First Nations Australians. 

A Film Australia Production. © National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. 

Ordinary People 

2001 | Not Classified | 55 mins | AUS | D: Jennifer Rutherford  

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This documentary follows Colene Hughes, a One Nation candidate in Ipswich, Queensland, over two years and two election campaigns. Initially supportive of the party’s platform, Hughes later raises concerns about internal party governance and leadership structures. These tensions come to a head at the party’s annual general meeting. 

Filmed over the course of Hughes’ candidacy, the documentary includes footage from campaign events, branch meetings, rallies and social gatherings. It records the perspectives of party members and supporters, documenting their stated motivations, concerns and political views.  

A Film Australia National Interest Program produced with the assistance of the Australian Film Commission, the NSW Film and Television Office and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 

© National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.