‘Black Comedy’ (2018) is a sketch comedy series developed for the ABC, written by and starring some of the funniest Indigenous performers in the country. Ably supported by an array of talented Indigenous and non-Indigenous performers, the core team uses comedy to explore what it means to be Indigenous in contemporary Australia.
CURRICULUM LINKS:
The Australian Curriculum acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures as a cross-curriculum priority in all learning areas. Black Comedy provides a resource for students to learn about:
• The lives of Indigenous Australians
• Contemporary Indigenous Australian society
• Relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians
The series engages students in discussions about Indigenous Australian identity and allows students to examine the key concepts of ‘Country’ or place, culture and people and to engage in discussions about reconciliation, respect and recognition of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures. Through viewing the series students will consider the historic and contemporary impacts of colonisation and will be able to understand that contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are strong, resilient, rich and diverse.
In addition, ‘Black Comedy’ provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to see themselves, their identities and their cultures portrayed on screen in a television series made for a mainstream Australian audience.