ABC TV is making docos about a rock band and an Aussie festival
Documentaries on Midnight Oil and the Adelaide Festival are on ABC TV’s 2020 slate.
Backburning, written and directed by Paul Clarke, starts off with Midnight Oil reuniting in the red centre of Australia to make plans for their return after 15 years.
It was a decision which saw them play their biggest tours, and up for two nominations at this month’s ARIA Awards, for best live act and best rock album for Armistice Day: Live At The Domain, Sydney.
Backburning also recaps Midnight Oil’s history and immense contribution to the country’s social, cultural and political conversation, through archive footage, band interviews and Aaron Pedersen’s narration.
Adelaide Festival, a working title for now, looks at what it takes to stage one of Australia’s biggest arts festivals in its 60th year.
It follows co-artistic directors Neil Armfield and Rachel Healy as they traverse the globe to curate the 2020 event.
It is directed by Richard Jasek and produced by Bonnie McBride.
The production notes state, “Set between the pressure cooker of the production office, the international arts circuit, and backstage at the festival itself, this observational documentary reveals the bickering and respect, accessibility and poise, intellectual brilliance and pure gut reaction that together creates an intangible magic.”
Matthew Walker’s Wanita: Heart of the Queen through People Productions, follows the self-proclaimed Queen of Honky Tonk as she journeys to Nashville to record in a quest to become one of the great country music artists.
Music offerings making their return next year include Rage, Ausmusic Month, triple j’s One Night Stand, triple j’s Hot 100, New Years Eve concert coverage and various Spicks and Specks specials.
However, there was no confirmation that The Set would return for a third season next year, with reps telling TMN: “We’re confident about another season, but it hasn’t been commissioned yet – stay tuned for an announcement next year though.”
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