True Stories: Hunger Strike, A Hidden History — In March 1981, republican prisoner Bobby Sands began a hunger strike in Maze Prison, Northern Ireland, seeking political status. He died 62 days later despite demonstrations and public outcry. His was to be the first death of 10 republican prisoners. ABC, Sunday, May 22, 8.30pm.
French and Saunders — In Bed with Madonna, Silence of the Lambs, Guns 'n' Roses: they are all the target of comedians Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders as they return together in this new series. ABC, Monday, May 23, 9.30pm.
The Cutting Edge: Mission Impossible — With an exclusive interview with General Aideed, this BBC documentary investigates the "peacekeeping" mission in Somalia. SBS, Tuesday, May 24, 8.30pm.
Movie: Faces of Women — Desire Ecare's film revolving around the hardships and obstacles confronting African women today. It features a love scene which initiated a censorship storm in some African nations at its release. SBS, Tuesday, May 24, 9.30pm.
About us: My Homeland, Your Homeland — Israeli novelist Amos Oz and Palestinian academic Hisham Sharabi travel together through Israel, the Gaza Strip, Temple Mount, the Golan Heights and the West Bank. They investigate the opportunities for reconciliation and the possibilities for lasting peace. SBS, Wednesday, May 25, 8.30pm.
As it happened: the Genius behind the Bomb — Little known Hungarian scientist Leo Szilard, protege to Albert Einstein, conceived and patented the idea for the first nuclear chain reaction, which led to the first nuclear bomb. Szilard devoted much of his later life trying to control the power that his ideas had unleashed. SBS, Thursday, May 26, 8.30pm.
(Times are AEST.)