James Findlay: Caught on Screen - Australia’s Convict history in film and television

From silent films to more recent television series, screen culture has elevated the convict experience to become a key historical narrative through which filmmakers and audiences have repeatedly reframed and challenged an understanding of Australia's colonial past. Through detailed archival research into their production and reception, this talk explores engaging case studies produced in Australia and internationally, including the work of Douglas Sirk, Alfred Hitchcock, and Jennifer Kent. They helped to direct major debates about nationalism, the legacies of colonisation, Aboriginal dispossession and the origins and character of Australian society.

James Findlay is a Lecturer in Australian history at the University of Sydney. He has a research focus on historical film and television studies, convict history, Australian popular culture, and public history. He has held the Australian Film Institute Research Collection Fellowship and before becoming a historian worked extensively in film and television production, mostly in the field of documentary.


Book through Humanitix or pay at the door. Eftpos and cash are accepted.

Hall Entry: $10 Waged; $5.00 Unwaged,
Afternoon tea from 3.30pm ($3 coffee/tea, $3 cake)

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