Australian
Screen

an NFSA website

Titles tagged with ‘disabilities’

28 titles - sorted alphabetically or by year

1940s

Homes for Crippled Children home movie – c1940

This film is an important document of how children affected by polio and other crippling diseases were treated in the 1940s.

1970s

Seven Little Australians television program – 1973

This is a delightful and faithful adaptation of Ethel Turner’s iconic Australian story, Seven Little Australians, into a charming television series.

1980s

Stepping Out documentary – 1980

Stepping Out draws attention to the talents of people with intellectual disabilities. The group went on to perform at the Sydney Opera House.

I Can Jump Puddles television program – 1981

Based on the autobiographical novel of the same name by Alan Marshall, this story of struggle and courage has become a classic Australian tale.

Touch the Sun – Captain Johnno television program – 1988

Captain Johnno is a significant Australian children’s film which won the 1988 International Emmy Award for Children and Young People’s Programming.

1990s

Proof feature film – 1991

This is a textbook example of how to make a film logistically simple without sacrificing complexity and dramatic impact.

Bad Boy Bubby feature film – 1993

Bad Boy Bubby was conceived as an experiment on virtually every level. It had 32 different cinematographers, for example.

The Trouble With Medicine: Conceiving the Future television program – 1993

This is a thought-provoking program about advances in medicine, which we leave in the hands of doctors at our peril.

The Sum of Us feature film – 1994

The Sum of Us presents three generations of characters, all of whom seek the same thing – a meaningful and long-lasting partnership in love.

That Eye, the Sky feature film – 1994

Twelve-year-old Morton ‘Ort’ Flack lives in the outback. When Ort’s father is paralysed in an accident, a stranger named Henry arrives, offering to help.

Correlli – Rat Tamer television program – 1995

Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness star in a drama about a psychologist and her relationships with the staff and inmates of an all-male prison.

Billal documentary – 1996

Skilled documentarian, Tom Zubrycki, set out to make a film about young Lebanese-Australians in Sydney but had to change tack.

Raw FM – What You Can television program – 1997

A series revolving around community youth radio station 99.9 Raw FM and the young people who run it.

Big Bag’s Japanese Adventure documentary – 1998

The Geelong-based Big Bag Band was invited to Japan to inspire that country’s fledgling arts and disability scene.

Cousin short film – 1998

The biography of a cousin, his special arm, pet rocks and shopping trolley.

Dance Me to My Song feature film – 1998

A woman with severe cerebral palsy battles to maintain her dignity and independence in the face of a selfish and negligent carer.

Emily’s Eyes documentary – 1998

Emily has physical disabilities, but this documentary is moving and uplifting because of the way the family deals with her.

Brother short film – 1999

The biography of a brother, his cigarette butts, asthma and head lice.

2000s

Short Cuts – Wheels on Fire television program – 2001

Set in a year 9 media studies class, Short Cuts is about teenagers making films and exploring how the camera can be used to communicate, but also to manipulate and lie.

The 7.30 Report – Pneumococcal Vaccine television program – 2003

Every parent’s nightmare: Ella was a healthy baby left profoundly disabled after she survived pneumococcal meningitis.

Harvie Krumpet short film – 2003

Adam Elliot combines darkness and humour, tragedy and triumph, Alzheimer’s and living life to the full, so that we may learn more about what it means to be human.

Fergus McPhail – Double Trouble television program – 2004

The hapless Fergus, who is probably the biggest dag around, is trying to be cool as he attempts to settle into his new life. Of course all does not go to plan.

Land Mines – A Love Story documentary – 2004

Shah planted landmines as a soldier then became the victim of a mine. His wife, Habiba, lost a leg to a mine and regrets that she can no longer wear pretty shoes.

Australian Story – With This Ring television program – 2005

Australian Story revisits remarkable couple the Shanns, two years after Gayle became entangled in a drilling machine on their property.

We Can Be Heroes – Episode 3 television program – 2005

Chris Lilley’s mockumentary follows five very different nominees for the Australian of the Year award in the lead-up to the event.

The Black Balloon feature film – 2007

The Black Balloon is partly a coming-of-age movie, but the presence in the family of an autistic brother like Charlie prevents it from becoming conventional or predictable.

The Librarians – Series 1 Episode 1 television program – 2007

This situation comedy series is set in a fictitious ‘Interactive Learning Centre’, known more prosaically as the local library.

Noise feature film – 2007

This smart script explores the effect that chronic isolation can have on a nation.