On the box

Movie: Indochine (1992) — The turbulent relationship between a French mother and her adopted Vietnamese daughter against the backdrop of the growing liberation struggle in the 1930s. ABC TV, Friday, February 17, 8.30pm.

Actively Radical TV — Community television's progressive current affairs program. This week a documentary on the history of women's liberation. Guests include Nadia Stani and Francis Peters, who discuss women's issues from the viewpoint of migrant and Aboriginal women. CTS Sydney (UHF 31), Friday, February 17, 10.30pm.

Movie: King Solomon's Mines (1937) — Probably a real stinker but it stars the brilliant actor — and committed radical — Paul Robeson, so it might be worth a peek. Robeson plays an exiled chief who is persuaded by an unsavoury collection of carpetbaggers to help them get their grubby mitts on the fabled diamond mine. ABC TV, Saturday, February 18, midday.

Mizike Mama — A documentary on the brilliant a cappella group Zap Mama, a group of women of Zairean origin living in Belgium. Zap Mama will be one the headlining acts participating in Womadelaide at the end of the month. The film not only examines Zap Mama's fabulous music but also follows them back to Africa to rediscover their heritage. A fascinating look at the little explored subject of African-Europeans' search for identity. SBS, Saturday, February 18, 2pm.

International netball: South Africa versus Australia — Live from Melbourne, the world champion Australian netball team meets South Africa in the first of three tests. Netball is the most popular women's sport in South Africa's depressed townships. ABC TV, Saturday, February 18, 7.30pm (Second test: February 22, 8.30pm; third test: February 25, 7.30pm).

Mini-series: Petain — A two-part mini-series tells the story of France's World War II pro-Nazi regime under Marshal Petain. SBS, Tuesday, February 21, and Wednesday, February 22, 9.30pm.

Malcolm X: Make It Plain — The first part of a three-part documentary on the life of Malcolm X. "Make it plain" was Malcolm's signal that he was ready to be introduced to speak and was repeated by audiences to reaffirm his words. The first episode begins with Malcolm family background and his early exposure to the ideas of Marcus Garvey. SBS, Thursday, February 23, 8.30pm.