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.
Australian Biography: Rosalie Kunoth-Monks — Kunoth-Monks talks about her work as an Aboriginal activist, social worker, parliamentary candidate and president of Aboriginal Legal Aid in the Northern Territory. SBS, Friday, December 6, 7.30pm.
Movie Legends: Agonia (1981) — Elem Klimov's epic looks at the two crucial years before the Russian Revolution — the politics, the decadence and particularly the relationship between Rasputin, Tsar Nicholas II and the empress. SBS, Friday, December 6, 9.30pm.
In Search of Our Ancestors — A three-part natural history of early humans. New clues to our origins have been unearthed in Africa. ABC TV, Saturday, December 7, 12.30pm.
Pilgrim's Notes — The experience of migration through the eyes and creativity of musicians who have come to Australia from South America. ABC TV, Sunday, December 8, 4.50pm.
Seven Musical Notes — A look at the ways members of the Indian community in Australia use music and dance to maintain their social, cultural and spiritual identity in their adopted homeland. SBS, Sunday, December 8, 7pm.
Echoes of a Genius: Miles Davis in Europe — His life, lovers, drugs, violence — everything on a grand scale — are part of Miles Davis' story, but above all else are the unique sound of the horn and his charismatic power on stage. This documentary is a montage of archival film and interviews which show the artist, the genius and the myth in the context of his European career and his influence on European music. SBS, Monday, December 9, 8.30pm.
Inner City Blues — A biography of Marvin Gaye, the famed singer/songwriter whose life ended dramatically when he was shot by his own father. A compilation of great archival material, contemporary testimonies and Gaye's songs presented by such performers as Bono, Madonna, Stevie Wonder and Massive Attack. SBS, Tuesday, December 10, 11.05pm.
ICAM music special — SBS's indigenous current affairs and culture magazine looks at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music today. Segments include Rachel Maza's band Nerkep, the Danooche Dancers and country singer Bobby McLeod. SBS, Wednesday, December 11, 7.30pm.
Street Musicians of India — The essential sounds and flavour of the rich and colourful culture of Bombay: itinerant musicians with homemade instruments; the hauntingly beautiful singing of transsexuals; snake charmers who daily risk their lives; blind people and lepers using music to survive. SBS, Wednesday, December 11, 8.30pm.