On the box
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.
Access News — Melbourne community TV, Channel 31, has excellent coverage of industrial, environmental and community actions throughout Victoria. Access News broadcasts every Monday and Friday at 8pm. Phone (03) 9525 3551 to contact the producers or make a donation.
The Dirty War — Military personnel from Britain and the US have suffered mysterious illnesses since fighting the Gulf War. This program examines the possible causes: depleted uranium used in weapons and biological and chemical agents. SBS, Wednesday, January 22, 8.30pm.
JANE: An Abortion Service — JANE was a Chicago-based women's health collective. With no formal medical training, its members performed 12,000 safe illegal abortions between 1969 and 1973. This documentary collects the personal and political stories of the group, with former members conveying in interviews the courage and humour necessary to manage their underground clinic. SBS, Thursday, January 23, 8.30pm.
The Perry Watkins Story — A funny, spirited and engaging documentary about the rights of gays to be in the military. Watkins was drafted into the US army in 1967, serving 15 years as an openly gay man. After a nine-year fight, Watkins won reinstatement. SBS, Friday, January 24, 8.30pm.
Movie: Chronicle of the Smouldering Years (1975) — Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina's film reflects the history of Algeria from 1939 to 1954 — the year the revolution began — in the lives of the people of two impoverished villages who rise up against the French colonial presence. SBS, Friday, January 24, 9.30pm.
The Secret Life of Sergei Eisenstein — Profile of the legendary Soviet film maker, whose films, including Battleship Potemkin, Alexander Nevsky and Ivan the Terrible, rank him among the world's greatest. SBS, Saturday January 25, 2pm.
Survival — This documentary traces the origins of the annual Survival Day Aboriginal 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 and Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter. SBS, Sunday, January 26, 8.30pm.
Last Call at Maud's — Paris Poirier's warm and nostalgic documentary about Maud's, the longest surviving lesbian bar in the world. This venerable San Francisco hangout opened in 1966 and thrived until the late 1980s, when it fell victim to the post-AIDS "clean and sober" ethic. A witty and informative look at cultural evolution which includes many provocative personal stories of coming out and sexual politics. SBS, Monday, January 27, 11.25pm.
The Global Family — The Kronotski Nature Sanctuary in Russia is the habitat of the legendary "Bear-God", a gargantuan animal weighing up to 700 kilos. But how long do these superb creatures have to survive? Illegal, indiscriminate killing, often from helicopters, is taking a heavy toll. SBS, Tuesday, January 28, noon.
Silent Sentinels, Cowards' War — The worldwide epidemic of landmines kills and maims more than 2000 people per month. Most victims are non-combatants. Cambodia has 10 million land mines — one for every man, woman and child in the country. This program takes us into the countryside to show the crisis at first hand. It examines the economics and politics behind the manufacture and use of these heinous weapons. SBS, Tuesday, January 28, 8.30pm.
In a Time of Violence — The highest rating series ever screened in South Africa, this three-part drama explores the lives of South Africans, both black and white, who are caught up in the social and political changes immediately before the historic 1994 elections. SBS, Tuesday, January 28, midnight.