SBS weekly programmer picks - 10/9

This week's pick has been tough. I've chosen an important film which examines a previously hushed up subject – sexual assault within the military. This American documentary reveals some staggering statistics – for example, the US Department of Defense estimates that in 2010 alone there were 19,000 violent sexual crimes within the military. Whats more, the problem is not only isolated to the US. A July report into sexual abuse in the Australian Defence Force by law firm DLA Piper received hundreds of fresh complaints of sexual abuse or assault. In this film, which won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, women survivors of sexual assault tell their stories. It's powerful viewing.



Other Highlights:David Suchet: In the Footsteps of St Paul (Fridays 8:30pm SBS ONE) In this two-part documentary actor David Suchet – best known for playing Poirot in the long-running Agatha Christie adaptations – travels through the Middle East to learn more about the early spread of Christianity. This is no mere vanity piece, as it is not the first time Suchet has written and spoken about the legacy of St Paul.

City Beneath the Waves: Pavlopetri (Sunday 7:30pm SBS ONE) Call it the Atlantis effect but there’s something romantic about a sunken ancient city. Pavlopetri may not be the lost city of Atlantis but this archaeological investigation in the Mediterranean is fascinating – and there’s an Aussie robotics team involved too!

Tyson (Sunday 9:30pm SBS ONE) The former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson is a villain in many people’s eyes. In 1992 he was jailed for three years for rape and his attempted comeback in 1997 ended with Tyson biting off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear. For those reasons many critics reported being pleasantly surprised by this film – a portrait of a childlike man who has led a troubled life, been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and keeps carrier pigeons. Definitely worth a look even for those with no love for the man or for the sport of boxing.



Next Week: Derren Brown Investigates.