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 Sunday, 9-11pm. 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 9633 6976.
Movie: Chronicle of the Smouldering Years (1975) — Winner of the best film award at Cannes in 1975, Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina's film reflects the history of Algeria from 1939 to 1954, the year the revolution began, through the lives of the people living in two impoverished villages who rise up against the French colonial regime. SBS, Wednesday, October 11, 12.40am.
Provos: the Provisional IRA and Sinn Fein — In this episode: the hunger strike in 1972 by IRA leader Billy McKee which forced the government to grant "political status"; the abolition of this status in 1976 which led to the opening up of a new front in the IRA's campaign; the battle in the prisons and its culmination in the hunger strike of 1981, in which 10 IRA men starved themselves to death; the subsequent rise of the movement's political wing, Sinn Fein, and the election of Gerry Adams to the British parliament; and the birth of a new political strategy with the final triumph of Adams and the new Republican leadership in 1986. SBS, Thursday, October 12, 1.30pm.
Movie: Three Seasons, Three Sisters (1996) — From Greece. When Lydia discovers toxic substances in the dyes used in children's toys in the factory where she works, the boss tells her to turn a blind eye. She enlists the aid of two sisters to help expose the factory. SBS, Friday, October 13, 12.25am.
Stompem Ground 2000 — The biggest and best indigenous music festival in Australia. It is held in Broome every second year and features the cream of indigenous musicians and the culture of the Kimberleys. ABC-TV, Friday, October 13, 10.50pm.
Return to Wonderland — A harrowing account of the human consequences of Russia's war in Chechnya. The fate of two young men is traced. Alexei, the conscript, has survived the horrors of Chechnya only to end up on the economic scrap heap. Volodya, who dodged the draft, is now a happy tram driver. SBS, Sunday October 15, 8.30pm.