From liberation to controversy, music has long been a tool for amplifying marginalised voices.
On The Record
Premieres on Sunday, August 30 at 8:30 pm ()
NITV is proud to announce the Australian free-to-air premiere of On The Record, an award-winning investigative documentary directed and produced by Oscar-nominated filmmakers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering.
On the Record - Drew Dixon. Source: Supplied
On the Record examines the story of senior music executive Drew Dixon (a collaborator on hit records by Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Whitney Houston, Estelle and Method Man) as she wrestles with her decision to become one of the first women of colour to come forward in the wake of the #MeToo movement with her account of sexual assault by hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons.
The Dogwoof documentary, which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, pairs Dixon’s story with the stories of other accusers. Their narratives explore the ways in which the voices of women of colour are frequently silenced and ignored when they allege sexual assault — in addition to the cultural forces that compel victims to remain silent. #MeToo founder Tarana Burke also offers insights into the challenges Black women face when seeking justice and speaking out.
Deeply illuminating and packed with powerful perspectives, On the Record’s narrative is weaved with interviews by prominent Black thought leaders, activists, journalists, and academics, who can speak to the unique situations African-American women face when dealing with sexual violence in a society plagued by racism. On The Record features such women including Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw, Shanita Hubbard, Kierna Mayo, and Dr. Joan Morgan.
Hip Hop Evolution
Critically acclaimed MC and journalist Shad Kabango set out to uncover the foundations of Hip-Hop music in the Emmy award-winning docu-series, Hip Hop Evolution. Beginning his journey in the Bronx, Shad meets with the DJs and MCs who set the template for all to follow. Along the way, Shad retraces Hip-Hop’s progression from underground parties to mainstream culture but realizes something much more profound—than Hip-Hop’s success is only part of the story: from the boroughs of NYC to the ghettos of LA and beyond, Hip-Hop created a new voice for the disenfranchised.
Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky
A fresh, funny, and provocative look at the Cook legend from a First Nations perspective. we debunk the myth Cook “discovered” Australia. Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky features a specially created songline that travels across the country. The film creates a songline for 21st century Australia – of spirituality, connection to country, resistance, and survival. Indigenous languages and English come together to create a new songline – one of cultural resistance and survival.
The film features outstanding Indigenous music producer Daniel Rankine P.K.A. Trials (founding member of A.B. Original) as well as Indigenous singer/songwriters Mo’Ju, Alice Skye, Kev Carmody, Birdz, Fred Leone and Mau Power, a diverse group of performers known for their powerful music and political voice.
The weaver of the story is an outstanding poet and performer – Steven Oliver. He connects the songline as he travels the land interrogating Cook’s legacy, and revealing Indigenous perspectives of the mysterious Cooky. Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky will also encore on Saturday 22 August for the anniversary of Cook on Possession Island.
Whitney
Grammy nominee and winner of Best Documentary at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Whitney documents the life of Whitney Houston, the voice of a generation. Coming from an esteemed lineage of singers, Whitney was destined to be plucked from her gospel-singing roots to rule the world stage. She inspired a generation of singers from Mariah Carey to Beyoncé and her unforgettable performance of The Star-Spangled Banner unlocked an anthem that had for so long been dismissed by many black artists. But all these achievements have become a footnote to a story of addiction and self-destruction. Whitney had the voice of an angel onstage but was being torn apart by her demons offstage.
