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Director Lynette Wallworth with Tashka Yawanawa.

Treading a perilous line between science and shamanism

Edge of Life is a documentary probably best left to the true believers.

  • Jake Wilson

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Maitland Parker didn’t work at the Wittenoom mine, but his mesothelioma was caused by asbestos exposure.

The air above his beloved country killed him. His story will break your heart

A new film documents the final days of Banjima elder Maitland Parker, a victim of Australia’s most contaminated site.

  • Gabriella Coslovich
A young Ben Stiller with his father Jerry, and mother, Anne.

Ben Stiller made a film about his parents. What he found was not always easy

Faced with his father’s accumulated treasures, the acclaimed writer and director did the only thing that made sense to him.

  • Michael Idato
Rachel Griffiths in The Idea of Australia on SBS.

‘Why have we forgotten this?’: Story of gay bushrangers revealed in documentary

Captain Moonlite – and some of Australia’s biggest conflicts – feature in two very different portraits of Australia hosted by Rachel Griffiths.

  • Michael Lallo
The sisters’ story is one of endurance - and togetherness.

‘Every single person plays a part’: The sisters who survived Malka Leifer

The three women at the heart of the decades-long sex abuse case tell their story - and they hope it’s for the last time.

  • Karl Quinn
Frank Lotito is the director of a documentary about Pellegrini’s, a Melbourne institution since 1954.

Sisto, the friendly ghost who haunts a loving tribute to a legendary cafe

It is impossible to talk about Pellegrini’s, the legendary Melbourne cafe, without pining for its murdered former owner, as filmmaker Frank Lotito discovered.

  • Karl Quinn
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The songs remain the same, the faces less so: Nigel Tufnel, David St Hubbins and Derek Smalls, aka Spinal Tap.

‘We got 82 cents apiece’: Why Spinal Tap decided to turn it up to 11 again

This Is Spinal Tap is one of the most beloved movies of all time. Little wonder the band was reluctant to go back there again.

  • Karl Quinn
Trolling the trolls: Shut Your Big Fat Mouth John Safran will tackle the free speech debate.

‘He’s really asking us what we can say’: The veteran troublemaker leading SBS’ 2026 line-up

The broadcaster has revealed its slate, which also includes a new location for Alone Australia and the FIFA World Cup.

  • Karl Quinn
The Age, news.Business. These young people are the subjects of a new movie - Spreadsheet Champions - and competed in the recent Microsoft Excel world championships. The film is appearing at the upcoming Melbourne International Film Festival.Left to right. 1. Carmina Solares,Yvan De La Paix,Alkmini Gaitantzi and .Mason Brainthwaite,Pic Simon Schluter 8 August 2025

Excelling at Excel: The spreadsheet world cup is anything but boring

Forget slam dunks, penalty shootouts or gold medals. The most nerve-racking competition you’ve never heard of involves cells, formulas and pivot tables.

  • David Swan
Luciana and Mario Martini are determined to stay in their home in North Fitzroy as they get older.

Luciana and Mario want to dance into old age at home and avoid aged care

A new documentary is exploring the complicated issue of ageing and the determination of some people to continue living independently.

  • Cara Waters

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/topic/documentaries-1n2t