BOSTON — This June, WORLD Channel programming showcases compelling stories that explore the ongoing battle for equality with a special look at LGBT communities in recognition of Pride Month. This focused programming includes the season 2 finale of America ReFramed, and the season 7 premiere of Global Voices, the critically acclaimed international documentary television series broadcasting exclusively on WORLD Channel, on June 1.
Highlights for the month include:
Sunday, June 1: Australian Story: On the Precipice details Steve Johnson’s 25-year quest to find justice for his gay brother, Scott, who was found dead at the bottom of a cliff while on a trip to Australia. While authorities told the family he had killed himself and closed the case, Steve never believed his kid brother would do that. In 2005, a police investigation code-named Operation Taradale, uncovered horrifying evidence of a gay-hate killing. The search for the truth of what happened that day has brought together an Internet pioneer, an international super sleuth, and the New South Wales Police Cold Case Unit.
Tuesday, June 24: America ReFramed: Broken Heart Land tells the story of Zack Harrington, a gay teen who committed suicide one week after attending a local city council meeting in support of a proposal for LGBT History Month in his bible-belt town. Against the backdrop of a town bitterly divided on the issue of homosexuality, Zack’s grief-stricken parents, both conservative Republicans and military veterans, are forced to reconcile their own social and political beliefs with their son’s death.
Sunday, June 29: Before the Spring, After the Fall begins in 2008 when a film crew began documenting a group of young heavy-metal musicians in Egypt. Oppressed by massive social forces beyond their control, the kids, sons of a jailed political dissident and the leader of the only female metal band in the Middle East, saw music as their outlet. With their hopes trapped in the traffic-clogged streets of Cairo, everything soon burst wide open. Filmed before, during, and after the beginning of the Egyptian revolution, this film tells story of a few remarkable young people as they seek the freedom to define themselves and their identity. Global Voices season 7 starts on June 1; full listing of all premiere episodes can be found athttp://worldchannel.org/programs/global-voices/
“WORLD Channel is committed to sharing stories that illustrate the big-picture and nuanced ways inequality can affect people,” says Chris Hastings, executive producer, WORLD Channel. “We hope this diverse collection of programs will informed, educate, and, most importantly, inspire a vibrant dialogue on these important topics.”
Tune-in to WORLD Channel all month for more stories with global perspectives. Check your local listings or log onto www.worldchannel.org for more information and a complete listing of WORLD Channel programming. Join us on Facebook and on Twitter for daily updates and to stay connected!
The WORLD Channel is a 24/7, multicast channel dedicated to delivering the best of public television’s nonfiction, news and documentary programming as well as a growing schedule of original content from independent producers and communities of difference. The complementary website, www.WORLDchannel.org, expands on broadcast topics and fuels content across social media, providing opportunities for broad and diverse audience interaction. WORLD Channel is produced by WGBH/Boston, in partnership with American Public Television and WNET/New York, and in association with the Public Broadcasting Service and the National Educational Telecommunications Association. Funding for WORLD Channel is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Ford Foundation. Additional funding for “America ReFramed” is provided by the MacArthur Foundation.
