TV Movie Guide: December 20 – 26 | Movie News
THIS WEEK’S SBS WORLD MOVIES HIGHLIGHTS:
- Audio Description (AD) available for The Death of Bruce Lee, When the River Runs Dry, Dust & Bones, Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender and Chef
- Closed Captions (CC) available for Milpirri: Winds of Change, The Death of Bruce Lee, Lucille Ball: We Love Lucy, Sesame Street: 50 Years Of Sunny Days, Whitney, Colossal, Silent Night: A Song for the World, Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender, Nat King Cole: Afraid of the Dark, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, Lion, Dolly Parton: 50 Years At The Opry, Walt Disney, Chef and Dead Ringers
MONDAY 20 DECEMBER
The Fifth Region
11:00am, NITV
PG
Canada, 2018
Genre: English
Language: English
Director: Aeyliya Husain, Gabriel Nuraki Koperqualuk
Starring: Joshua Stribbell, Nancy Saunders
What’s it about?
This short narrative feature tells the story of Joshua (Stribbel) and Nancy (Saunders), two young urban Inuit who are carving out a place for themselves in southern Canada.
My Life As I Live It
11:50am, NITV
G
Australia, 1993
Genre: Documentary
Language: English
Director: Essie Coffey
What’s it about?
Following 1978’s landmark My Survival As An Aboriginal, Essie Coffey returns to her home in Dodge City where she and the A-Team are running in the shire elections. Inter-cutting between 1993 and 1978, the film presents the fascinating contrasts of a society in transition.
Milpirri: Winds of Change
12:50pm, NITV
PG, CC
Australia, 2014
Genre: Documentary
Language: English
Director: Stewart Carter
What’s it about?
It’s early October in 2012, and Steve Jampijinpa is leaving Canberra for his home in outback Lajamanu. Once there, he’ll play a key part in something very important to him: Milipirri, a biennial community festival of dance, art and ceremony. But things are changing for Steve and his community. This documentary reveals what goes on behind the scenes of a controversial and ground-breaking Walpiri event.
The Death of Bruce Lee
8:30pm, SBS
PG, AD, CC
USA, 2021
Genre: Documentary
Language: English
Director: Evan Jackson Leong
What’s it about?
On 20th July 1973, martial arts superstar Bruce Lee died under mysterious circumstances in Hong Kong. Now in the twilight of his life, his brother Robert Lee has enlisted former Hong Kong police detective Philip Chan to comb through previously unseen documents, interview experts and talk to people close to the legendary superstar, in an attempt to revisit what or who killed the Bruce Lee.
TUESDAY 21 DECEMBER
My Survival as an Aboriginal
1:05pm, NITV
M
Australia, 1979
Genre: Documentary
Language: English
Director: Essie Coffey
What’s it about?
Essie Coffey, a Murrawarri woman and black activist, shows the conflicts of living as an Aboriginal under white domination. The first Australian film directed by an Indigenous woman.
Lucille Ball: We Love Lucy
9:30pm, SBS
PG, CC
USA, 2020
Genre: Documentary
Language: English
Director: Paul Ellison
What’s it about?
Lucille Ball’s bravery and willingness to try absolutely anything to elicit a chuckle changed the rules of television. The shrewd, enterprising redhead—whose drama-filled personal life was constantly at odds with her public persona—struggled against a system created by men, all the while cementing her legacy by building an entertainment empire that would transform Hollywood as we know it.
WEDNESDAY 22 DECEMBER
Sesame Street: 50 Years Of Sunny Days
7:35pm, SBS
PG, CC
USA, 2021
Genre: Family, Documentary
Language: English
Director: Rebecca Gitlitz
What’s it about?
For more than a half-century, Sesame Street has addressed and explained diversity, equity, and inclusion around the globe by using the universal tools of music, empathy and celebrity. This new feature documentary chronicles how, for more than five decades, Sesame Street, one of the most well-loved family TV shows of all time has been a powerful, bold, progressive force of representation, education and empowerment.
Source Code
8:30pm, SBS VICELAND
M
USA, 2011
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
Language: English
Director: Duncan Jones
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jeffrey Wright, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga
What’s it about?
When decorated soldier Captain Colter Stevens (Gyllenhaal) wakes up in the body of an unknown man, he discovers he’s part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. In an assignment unlike any he’s ever known, he learns he’s part of a government experiment called the ‘Source Code,’ a program that enables him to cross over into another man’s identity in the last eight minutes of his life. Directed by Duncan Jones (Moon).
Whitney
9:30pm, NITV
M, CC
UK, USA, 2018
Genre: Documentary, Music
Language: English
Director: Kevin Macdonald
Featuring: Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, Cissy Houston, Clive Davis, L.A. Reid, Kevin Costner
What’s it about?
Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald (Touching the Void) and from two-time Academy Award-winning producer Simon Chinn, the film gives audiences an unprecedented and unique look into Whitney’s life. An unflinching and honest portrait of a rare talent told by those closest to her, showcasing exclusive audio and never-before-seen video archive from her time as a recording artist and performer.
Colossal
10:15pm, SBS VICELAND
M, CC
Canada, 2016
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Language: English
Director: Nacho Vigalondo
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis, Tim Blake Nelson, Dan Stevens, Austin Stowell
What’s it about?
Gloria (Hathaway) is an ordinary woman who, after losing her job and being kicked out of her apartment by her boyfriend (Stevens), is forced to leave her life in New York and move back to her hometown. When news reports surface that a giant creature is destroying Seoul, Korea, Gloria gradually comes to the realisation that she is somehow connected to this far-off phenomenon. From Nacho Vigalondo, director of Timecrimes.
THURSDAY 23 DECEMBER
When The River Runs Dry
11:00am, NITV
PG, AD
Australia, 2019
Genre: Documentary
Language: English
Director: Rory McLeod
What’s it about?
A documentary about one of Australia’s worst environmental disasters, the mass fish kills at Menindee, in Western NSW. This film calls upon experts, Indigenous elders and locals, to unravel the cause and effects of this catastrophe on people and wildlife.
Dust & Bones
12:00pm, NITV
PG, AD
Canada, 2021
Genre: Documentary
Language: English
Director: Leslie D. Bland
What’s it about?
Examines legal issues, political controversies surrounding the preservation and rededication of First Nations artifacts, burial sites and remains as told by archaeological consultant, Harold Joe.
#Jowable
9:30pm, NITV
M
Philippines, 2019
Genre: Comedy
Language: Tagalog, Filipino
Director: Darryl Yap
Starring: Kim Molina, Kakai Bautista, Cai Cortez, Jerald Napoles
What’s it about?
Despite being surrounded and supported by friends, Elsa (Molina) still feels miserable and envious of every couple she sees. Finally, Lady Luck smiles upon her and she meets a guy (Napoles), and the attraction is instantly mutual. Is this the love she’s been waiting for all her life? Will this be the happiness she has been searching for, or will she find her happiness somewhere else?
Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1
11:50pm, SBS VICELAND
MA15+
India, 2012
Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
Language: Hindi
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Starring: Manoj Bajpayee, Richa Chadda, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Jaideep Ahlawat
What’s it about?
Shahid Khan (Ahlawat) is exiled after impersonating the legendary Sultana Daku in order to rob British trains. Now outcast, Shahid becomes a worker at Ramadhir Singh’s (Dhulia) colliery, only to spur a revenge battle that passes on to generations. At the turn of the decade, Shahid’s son, the philandering Sardar Khan (Bajpayee) vows to get his father’s honor back, becoming the most feared man of Wasseypur.
FRIDAY 24 DECEMBER
Silent Night: A Song for the World
7:30pm, SBS
PG, CC
Germany, Austria, 2021
Genre: Documentary, Music
Language: German, English
Director: Hannes Michael Schalle
Featuring: Peter Simonischek, Kelly Clarkson, Joss Stone, Anggun, Josh Groban
What’s it about?
This documentary tells the story of the creation and cultural impact of the world’s most famous Christmas carol, composed in 1818 in Salzburg, Austria, and since then translated into about 140 languages. In fact, the song Silent Night caused a Christmas ceasefire in World War I. Over the last 100 years the song has been translated into 140 languages including Bing Crosby’s version which is the third best-selling single of all time.
Unaccompanied Minors
8:15pm, NITV (repeats Saturday 25 December, 10:45am)
PG
USA, 2006
Genre: Comedy, Family
Language: English
Director: Paul Feig
Starring: Lewis Black, Wilmer Valderrama, Tyler James Williams, Dyllan Christopher
What’s it about?
Five disparate kids snowed in at the airport on Christmas Eve learn some lessons about friendship when they launch a bid to get back to their families and outsmart a disgruntled airport official who wants to keep them grounded.
Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender
9:10pm, SBS
M, AD, CC
USA, 2012
Genre: Music, Documentary
Language: English, French
Director: Rhys Thomas
Featuring: Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor, Brian May, Luciano Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballé
What’s it about?
Freddie Mercury was one of the most charismatic, complex, and fascinating characters in British rock music. The story of Queen is much told, but this new documentary focuses on Freddie and the solo projects he worked on, outside of the band.
I Want My MTV
11:05pm, SBS VICELAND
PG
USA, 2019
Genre: Documentary, Music
Language: English
Director: Tyler Measom, Patrick Waldrop
Starring: Pauly Shore, Sting, Benji Madden, Michael Nesmith, Norman Lear, Billy Idol
What’s it about?
The film is about the formation of a music channel that has shaped modern pop culture. On August 1, 1981, the life of a whole generation of Americans changed forever – on this day MTV began its broadcasting day, making VJ a new teen hero and creating a canon of music video as a vivid artistic statement.
SATURDAY 25 DECEMBER
Nat King Cole: Afraid of the Dark
7:30pm, NITV
G, CC
USA, 2014
Genre: Documentary
Language: English
Director: Jon Brewer
Featuring: Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, Ralph Carmichael, Harry Belafonte
What’s it about?
Through extensive archives and his private journals, together with exclusive interviews with his widow, Maria Cole, and other family members, the true story of Nat King Cole is told; the man whose charm and genius for performance made him a role model and a pinnacle of American cultural society.
On Broadway
8:30pm, SBS
PG
USA, 2021
Genre: Documentary
Language: English
Director: Oren Jacoby
What’s it about?
Legends of the stage and screen—including Helen Mirren, Christine Baranski, August Wilson, James Corden, Alec Baldwin, John Lithgow, Viola Davis, Hugh Jackman and Ian McKellen—take us behind the scenes of Broadway’s most groundbreaking and beloved shows, from A Chorus Line to Hamilton. Iconic performances by Lin Manuel Miranda, Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, James Earl Jones and Mandy Patinkin lead the way on a hurly burly ride through Times Square, once again the main street of American show business.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
9:15pm, NITV
M, CC
Finland, 2010
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Action
Language: Finnish
Director: Jalmari Helander
Starring: Jorma Tommila, Onni Tommila, Peeter Jakobi
What’s it about?
This darkly hilarious Christmas tale follows the capture of Santa during an archaeological dig in the depths of Finland’s mountains. But this is a murderous Santa, and his psychotic elves are determined to free him. Winner of Best Film and Best Director at the 2010 Sitges Film Festival, specialising in fantasy and horror films.
Lion
10:00pm, SBS
M, CC
Australia, UK, USA, 2016
Genre: Drama
Language: English
Director: Garth Davis
Starring: Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara, David Wenham
What’s it about?
A five-year-old Indian boy (played by Sunny Pawar, and as an adult by Dev Patel) gets lost on the streets of Calcutta, thousands of kilometres from home. He survives many challenges before being adopted by a couple (Wenham & Kidman) in Australia; 25 years later, he sets out to find his lost family. Nominated for six 2017 Academy Awards (including Best Picture), and one of the most commercially successful Australian-made films of all time.
Dolly Parton: 50 Years At The Opry
12:05am, SBS
PG, CC
USA, 2019
Genre: Music
Language: English
Director: Ashley S. Gorman
Starring: Dolly Parton
What’s it about?
Filmed in front of a live audience at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, this special is a celebration of Dolly’s 50 years as a member of the Opry. It features interviews with Dolly, as well as performances of her biggest hits on the Opry stage. In addition, her superstar friends – Dierks Bentley, Emmylou Harris, Chris Janson, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Margo Price, Hank Williams Jnr, and others appear on stage to pay homage to her amazing career.
SUNDAY 26 DECEMBER
The World’s Fastest Electric Car?
7:05pm, SBS VICELAND
PG
UK, 2021
Genre: Documentary
Language: English
Director: James Woodroffe
What’s it about?
Join self confessed petrol-head Guy Martin as he learns about the alternative to the internal combustion engine, Electric. In this TV special, Guy learns about the advantages of electric transport and the different varieties that exist from bicycles, cars and vans up to buses. Guy also learns some of the disadvantages from range anxiety and with the help of the Leicestershire Fire Brigade, how to deal with a fire.
Walt Disney
8:30PM, SBS
PG, CC
USA, 2015
Genre: Documentary
Language: English
Director: Sarah Colt
What’s it about?
Walt Disney was uniquely adept at art as well as commerce, a master filmmaker who harnessed the power of technology and storytelling. This new film examines Disney’s complex life and enduring legacy. Features rare archival footage from the Disney vaults, scenes from some of his greatest films, interviews with biographers and animators, and the designers who helped turn his dream of Disneyland into reality.
Charley Pride: I’m Just Me
8:30pm, NITV
PG
USA, 2019
Genre: Music, Documentary
Language: English
Director: Barbara Hall
Featuring: Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Whoopi Goldberg, Garth Brooks
What’s it about?
This film traces the improbable journey of Charley Pride, from his humble beginnings as a sharecropper’s son on a cotton farm in segregated Sledge, Mississippi to his career as a Negro American League baseball player and his meteoric rise as a trailblazing country music superstar. The new documentary reveals how Pride’s love for music led him from the Delta to a larger, grander world.
Silent Souls
10:00pm, NITV
M
Russia, 2010
Genre: Drama
Language: Russian
Director: Aleksei Fedorchenko
Starring: Yuliya Aug, Igor Sergeev, Yuriy Tsurilo
What’s it about?
Aist (Sergeev), a photographer and writer, and his companion, Miron (Tsurilo), go on a journey to cremate the dead body of the former beloved wife, Tanya (Aug), on a riverbank in the area where they spent their honeymoon. Winner of the FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) prize at the 2010 Venice Film Festival.
Chef
11:30pm, SBS
M, AD, CC
USA, 2014
Genre: Comedy
Language: English
Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Dustin Hoffman
What’s it about?
Carl Casper (Favreau) is a disillusioned chef fed up with his restaurant’s management, poor reviews and lack of creativity. After an online battle with a well-known critic leads to further frustration, Carl decides to leave and go solo as a food truck operator in a bid to rediscover his flair for cooking.
Dead Ringers
12:25am, SBS VICELAND
M, CC
Canada, USA, 1988
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Language: English
Director: David Cronenberg
Starring: Jeremy Irons
What’s it about?
Twin gynaecologists (both played by Irons) take full advantage of the fact that nobody can tell them apart, until their relationship begins to deteriorate over a woman (Bujold). From director David Cronenberg (The Fly, A History of Violence).
Vice Guide to Film: David Cronenberg