‘Our Law’ documentary series set to premiere on SBS and NITV in the new year
Screenwest is pleased to announce that six-part Western Australian documentary Our Law, which explores the relationship between police and First Nations people, is set to make its broadcast premiere on SBS and NITV on Thursday, 5 January.
After 170 years of locked doors and sealed lips, documentary cameras are now granted intimate and candid access to the Indigenous officers and cadets attempting to break the cycle of Indigenous incarceration and repair a deeply troubled relationship between police and First Nations peoples, while giving voice to the communities being policed.
The series follows multiple stories and subjects across its six episodes. Can cadets, Leroy, Hannah, and Shaye, overcome their own personal challenges and pass the gruelling fitness tests required to progress through to becoming official police recruits? Can frontline officers, Tyler, Tiarna and Cohen, achieve their aspirations of becoming the ultimate frontline, one that can change a police culture from within and rebuild trust between First Nations people and the blue uniform?
Narrated by acclaimed First Nations actor Deborah Mailman, Our Law is directed by Perun Bonser (Star Dreaming, Noongar Footy Magic), and produced by Taryne Laffar (KGB, On Country Kitchen) and Sam Bodhi Field (Behind the Blue Line, Virtual Whadjuk). The full series was commissioned following the success of Taryne and Sam’s standalone documentary in 2020, which was acquired by Netflix after attracting international media attention.
“The timing of this project is of extreme importance in respect to the legacy of addressing issues of Aboriginal peoples and policing in WA. As an Indigenous Western Australian, witnessing and capturing this meaningful leadership step from the WA Police has proved that the tainted history between police and Aboriginal people in this state has not only been acknowledged, but is progressing, Our Law is revealing a truly effective way of doing the business of policing in Aboriginal communities.” said Taryne Laffar, Our Law Series Producer.
The premiere is part of NITV’s celebratory summer lineup of First Nations programming, with Monday, 12 December marking 10 years since NITV first launched on free-to-air television. The Our Law broadcast follows the series’ world premiere at CinefestOZ in August and subsequent screening at the inaugural CinefestOZ Broome festival last month.
“We’re incredibly proud to have supported Our Law’s journey over the last few years. The project has grown from a groundbreaking half hour documentary to a full six-part series, which is a testament to the filmmaking team’s nuanced ability to navigate this complex subject. We look forward to seeing Our Law resonate with audiences in the new year.” said Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest CEO.
Our Law airs weekly from Thursday, 5 January at 8:30pm on NITV and will be simulcast on SBS. The series will also be available to stream on SBS on Demand.
Production Credit: Our Law is a Pink Pepper Pty Ltd and Periscope Pictures Pty Ltd production for NITV. Principal production investment from Screen Australia’s First Nations Department, in association with NITV. Financed with support from Screenwest, Lotterywest and the Western Australian Screen Fund.
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