Australia’s former Deputy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has gone into battle with the ABC to pick up the Radio Birdman documentary.
Albo fired off a strongly worked letter to the ABC’s director of entertainment, David Anderson requesting that the ABC revisit its decision to not pick-up broadcast rights for ‘Descent into the Maelstrom – The Radio Birdman Story’.
“I write to you regarding the ABC’s recent decision not to acquire the broadcasting rights to Jonathan Sequeira’s documentary film ‘Descent into the Maelstrom – The Radio Birdman Story’, about iconic Australian punk band Radio Birdman.
“The creation of the band by Deniz Tek and Rob Younger in Sydney in 1974, cemented the foundation of Australian punk rock – laid by Chris Bailey and Ed Kuepper of The Saints the same year.
“The bands visceral performances, attended by thousands, are an important part of Australia’s musical history – not to mention the release of their full-length studio album Radios Appear in 1977, to critical acclaim.
“Through the cunning use of archival and present day footage spliced together, Jonatahn Sequeira has managed to capture the band’s journey and outlaw reputation on film – a journey that was integral to the development of the independent music scene in Australia.
“I implore the ABC to reconsider acquiring the rights to the film and for it to be broadcasted to the Australian public free-to-air.
“Keep the fun(house) alive.”
Signed Anthony Albanese MP, Federal Member for Grayndler.
On Friday I wrote to @ABCTV asking our public broadcaster to reconsider acquiring the rights to the @radiobirdmandoc ??? pic.twitter.com/jKYB4UQCv5
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) August 12, 2018
‘Descent into the Maelstrom – The Radio Birdman Story’ debuted on 20 July 2017.
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