If you’re looking for something to occupy the hours between each action-filled stage of the Tour de France, we’ve got two options for you: first up, you can head over to the home of the TDF for the latest news, analysis, a daily podcast and 10-part tribute series Celebrating Cadel. And if you’ve still got some energy after a sprint through that lot (phew!), SBS Tour commentators Robbie McEwen and Bridie O’Donnell have some suggestions for you.
SBS On Demand asked the duo to list their favourites – and you won’t be surprised to see some sport in the mix. But there’s plenty of other action too.
The Bureau
“There’s so much to choose from, but one of my favourites is The Bureau. Incredible TV show. It’s a French spy thriller. Lots of travelling around the world, impersonating other people... incredible plot twists. Fantastic!” says O’Donnell of this acclaimed series that focuses on a group of deep cover agents who put their lives on the line in the so-called ‘Bureau of Legends’ – a clandestine branch of the French secret service. The brilliant cast includes Mathieu Kassovitz (Amelie), Louis Garrel (Little Women), Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), Florence Loiret Caille (Spiral, also ) and Sara Giraudeau (The Wedding Speech).
The Fall
“If you’re into murder, mystery, really dark stuff, but that’s super entertaining, you’ve got to watch The Fall. Maybe not for everyone. I love it!” says McEwen of this tense psychological thriller starring Gillian Anderson (The X-Files) and Jamie Dornan (A Private War). The focus of this show isn’t ‘whodunnit’ but rather the dance between a ruthless serial killer and the woman hunting him.
Anderson plays Stella Gibson, a homicide detective who arrives in Dublin to work on a string of murders; Dornan plays Paul Spector, who, we very quickly learn, is not at all the loving father and husband he appears to be. Set in Belfast, the drama will quickly draw you in; the good news is that the full three seasons are streaming now, and with 17 episodes across the run, it’s just the right amount of viewing to keep you going over the next wee while. And for those who need help staying up for the Tour, it might help keep you wide awake too...
Riding the Wave: Carissa Moore
Next up on McEwen’s list is a documentary on world champion surfer Carissa Moore, who exploded onto the pro scene in 2010, soon joining Aussie Stephanie Gilmore as one of the dominant women on the circuit. “Coming out of the darkness of The Fall, we’re gonna go into the ocean,” says McEwen. “I would love for you to take a look at the doco about Carissa Moore, a four-time surfing world champion from Hawaii. She is just absolutely incredible on the waves, something I aspire to do sometime in my life.” The documentary is part of the , which looks at the careers of a range of super talents, from to and .
Double the Trouble: Ellyse Perry
O’Donnell also chose a documentary from the in her top 3. “I’m going for a doco on Ellyse Perry. She’s our best One Day International cricket player but also played for Australia and played in the W-League. I had the privilege of bowling to her ahead of the T-20 Women’s World Cup last year in Melbourne, so I feel like some of that talent might have brushed off on me!” As O’Donnell notes, the super-talented Perry has played for both the national cricket and soccer teams; even more impressive, she was only 16 at the time.
Double the Trouble: Ellyse Perry is streaming now at SBS On Demand as part of the .
Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. the New York Knicks
“I’ve chosen Reggie Miller because after retiring from the NBA as a huge star, he’s a cyclist! And I just love his passion for sport, but how he went about it in the NBA, it is mind-blowing!” says McEwen of this documentary from award-winning filmmaker Dan Klores. The film zeros in on the dramatic seven-game 1995 playoff series between Miller’s Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks. Miller single-handedly crushed the hearts of Knicks fans multiple times in his career, but it was what happened in one crucial semi-final that became a career-defining moment for the guard.
Tracks
“The other one I really loved is Tracks. It’s an incredible film based on the book by Robyn Davidson, about a woman who made a trek across Australia, 2700km with camels, starring Mia Wasikowska, the Australian actress. So, beautiful landscape, incredible story of resilience and courage,” says O’Donnell of her final pick. The movie recreates the journey Davidson made from Alice Springs across the desert of Western Australia to reach the ocean, accompanied only by her dog and four camels. Directed by John Curran (Chappaquiddick) and from the Oscar-winning producers of The King’s Speech, this mesmerising film features an outstanding performance by Wasikowska.
Join the #couchpeloton for the Tour de France 26 June to 18 July. Here’s how and when to catch all the action:
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