BBC lights up ABC dance company doc Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra

Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra made its debut in Australian cinemas

The BBC has acquired a feature documentary chronicling the foundation and growth of Australia’s Bangarra Dance Theatre.

Produced by In Films’ Ivan O’Mahoney, Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra was commissioned by pubcaster ABC and premiered in Australian cinemas earlier this year, released by Icon Film Distribution.

Directed by Wayne Blair and Nel Minchin, the doc tells how Aboriginal brothers Stephen, David and Russell Page launched the troupe 30 years ago and turned it into a First Nations cultural powerhouse.

Featuring archival footage and interviews, it also explores the loss and reclaiming of culture, the burden of intergenerational trauma and the power of art as a catalyst for social change and healing.

Pubcaster the ABC’s ABC Commercial, which is handling international sales, negotiated the deal with the BBC, which will air the doc on BBC Four in 2022 and stream it on iPlayer.

The deal comes after broadcasters including Sky in New Zealand, SVT in Sweden, YLE in Finland and SRF in Switzerland have also taken the doc from ABC Commercial.

The recently appointed head of ABC Commercial, Jessica Ellis, said: “The BBC is renowned for its ability to recognise blue-chip arts content and Firestarter is no exception. The interest surrounding this beautiful documentary in Australia and around the world has been remarkable.”