Actively Radical TV — Sydney community television's progressive current affairs producers tackle the hard issues from the activist's point of view. CTS Sydney (UHF 31), every Thursday, 10pm and Saturday, 7pm. Ph 9565 5522.
Access News — Melbourne community TV, Channel 31, has excellent coverage of industrial, environmental and community actions throughout Victoria. Access News broadcasts every Monday at 8pm. Ph 9525 3551 to contact the producers or make a donation.
Australian Biography: Ruby Langford Ginibi — Born on a mission station in northern NSW in 1934, Langford lost contact with her mother at the age of six. She raised nine children while working as a fencer, a machinist and a cleaner. Three of her children died in tragic circumstances, and a fourth has spent almost half his life in detention centres. In 1984, Ruby wrote her highly successful autobiography, Don't Take Your Love To Town. Subsequently, she wrote Real Deadly, a collection of short stories, and My Bundjalung People, which revisits the places of her youth. SBS, Friday, July 10, 2pm.
Arafat — This episode focuses on the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. SBS, Friday, July 10, 8pm.
Movie: Caruga (1991) — An ex-soldier returns to Yugoslavia from the Russian Revolution with dreams of the masses rising up. He becomes a latter-day Robin Hood to the downtrodden. SBS, Saturday, July 11, 12.45am.
Survival — Traces the origins of the Survival Concert from its beginnings within the La Perouse community, and focuses on the 1996 concert with high profile performers such as Christine Anu, Yothu Yindi, Tiddas, the Warumpi Band, Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter. SBS, Saturday, July 11, 12.30pm.
Two Bob Mermaid — Set in the summer of 1957, Darlene Johnson's short film is about a young Koori girl who passes for white at the local swimming pool. SBS, Saturday, July 11, 1.30pm.
Cracks in the Mask — A century ago, the Torres Strait Islands were the destination for the famous Cambridge Anthropological Expedition, resulting in a drastic depletion of cultural artefacts. Ephraim Bani travels from the Torres Strait Islands to the great museums of Europe to reclaim his heritage. SBS, Saturday, July 11, 1.45pm.
Lethal Metal — An investigation into the smuggling of radioactive metals out of Russia into western Europe. The program visits the base in northern Russia where more than 100 nuclear submarines are waiting to be disarmed and decommissioned. Military staff have been caught red-handed trying to steal radioactive material. SBS, Sunday, July 12, 1.30pm.
Movie: Somewhere Near Conakry (1991) — Centres on the discoveries of two children — one French, one African — against the backdrop of the revolution taking place in Guinea, West Africa, in 1971. SBS, Tuesday, July 14, 12.30pm.
Movie: Germinal (1993) — Claude Berri's superb adaptation of Emile Zola's 1885 expose of the appalling conditions of 19th century miners in France. SBS, Tuesday, July 14, 9.30pm.
The Dammed — A documentary on the controversial Three Gorges Dam in south-east China. The biggest construction enterprise since the Great Wall, it will be the largest hydro-electric power station in the world. SBS, Tuesday, July 14, 11.05pm.
The Preferred Sex, the Preferred Number — Two women film-makers — from India and Nigeria — offer their views on population issues and examine the interlocking themes of reproductive rights, the status of women, population control and economic development. SBS, Wednesday, July 15, 8pm.
Budapest 1956: Defeat into Victory — This program uses recently discovered files to unravel the events leading to the 1956 Budapest uprising. SBS, Friday, July 17, 8pm.
Movie: Black Jesus (1968) — An African leader, who appears to be based on Patrice Lumumba of the Congo, is captured by colonial forces. SBS, Saturday, July 18, 10pm.
Australian Biography: B.A. Santamaria — One of Australia's most formidable political reactionaries. SBS, Sunday, July 19, 7.30pm.
Movie: Burning Life (1994) — Failed singer Anna and mysterious, moody Lisa find a new purpose in life by robbing banks and distributing money to the poor. SBS, Thursday, July 23, 11.55pm.