Such a spectacular series in 2011, due largely to the nature of the work and the inclusion of 6 people with varying views and backgrounds when it came to the refugee debate that their experience made for compelling television. The focus of this series on 6 known personalities has the potential to sully that experience somewhat, though the producers do have a flair for the unexpected. Bring. It. On. From the press release:
Six prominent faces from Australian politics, television and radio, some with outspoken views on refugees and asylum seekers and others with a connection to the debate, are set to get the nation talking when they feature in the second instalment of the groundbreaking and multi award winning SBS documentary series, Go Back to Where You Came From.
Last year, six ordinary Australians challenged their preconceived notions of refugees and asylum seekers by experiencing a confronting 25 day refugee journey in reverse. This year, the six faces known to many Australians who will experience the life-risking journey when the series returns with new twists and turns, are:
- Angry Anderson, Australian rock music legend, conservative political activist and
aspiring National Party candidate.- Peter Reith, former Howard Government senior cabinet minister, including Minister for
Defence from 2000-2001.- Imogen Bailey, actress widely known for her role as Nicola West in Australian soap
Neighbours, and animal rights activist.- Allan Asher, former Commonwealth Ombudsman, outspoken consumer advocate.
- Catherine Deveny, writer, comedian and social commentator.
- Michael Smith, former radio shock jock with 2UE and 4BC.
Michael Ebeid, SBS Managing Director, said: “Go Back to Where You Came From has set the benchmark for new SBS television content and will once again provoke national debate about how Australia responds to this tough and complex global issue. “This year we are looking forward to seeing how these prominent Australians will tackle the challenging journey in a new and different way, as they travel to some of the world’s most perilous and despairing places to try to understand the reality of what life is like for refugees and asylum seekers.
“These participants each have strong and passionate views, with many being well-known for their position on these issues. Seeing how they experience the confronting situations they encounter, and how they challenge each other, is going to make for compelling television.”
The six participants will once again be guided on their journey by author and refugee expert Dr David Corlett, when the series returns in August 2012. The three-part series will be followed by a special episode of Insight, hosted by Jenny Brockie.
The first series of Go Back to Where You Came From attracted significant interest from both international broadcasters and production companies and continues to receive industry acclaim. It was awarded the coveted Golden Rose for the best program of 2012, as well as Best Factual Entertainment program, at the prestigious Rose d’Or Awards in Switzerland.
The series also received 2012 TV Week Logie Award for Most Outstanding Factual Program, a 2012 Australian Directors Guild Award for Best Direction in a Documentary Series, and two prizes at the 2011 United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Awards for best television documentary and for its promotion of multicultural issues.
Go Back to Where You Came From is a Cordell Jigsaw production for SBS.