4 x 60' Blackfella Films

What is the idea of Australia and how might it evolve to become richer and more robust in the 21st century?

Australia’s population has grown dramatically over the past two decades, profoundly changing the nation and making it more important to share the national backstory and find ways to incorporate new stories and understanding.

This series braids the past and the present and enriches the insights drawn from archives and experts with emotionally powerful stories. It delves into Australia’s relatively little-known history, exploring the four national pillars – people, institutions, land and culture – to produce a multi-layered sense of Australian identity. It teases out the evolution of recurring themes – fairness, land ownership, equality, migration, and contests – First Peoples’ exclusion, race-based fear, gender and economic inequality.

Inspired by the acclaimed book ‘The Idea of Australia: a search for the soul of the nation’ (Julianne Schultz) the series is presented by acclaimed actor Rachel Griffiths, supported by in-depth interviews with experts, significant public figures, archive and personal testimony. The unique landscape of Australia provides a visually stunning backdrop against which big ideas are unpacked and explored with thought-provoking, subversive and emotionally engaging storytelling.

Ultimately The Idea of Australia interrogates the past to make sense of the present and imagine a tomorrow when we might thrive, founded upon the best of what and whom we truly are.

The Idea of Australia is compelling for international audiences because it goes beyond familiar stereotypes to explore how Australia understands and defines itself, revealing the tensions, myths, and diverse voices that shape the nation. By examining national identity, colonial history, multiculturalism, and the evolving role of First Nations peoples in the country’s story, the series offers insights that resonate with broader global questions about belonging, representation, and how nations construct their self-image. Its mix of accessible storytelling and critical reflection provides a richer, more complex picture of a country they may think they already know.