SBS returns to drama with new series 'Better Man'

26 Jul 2012, 10:31 am   -   Source: SBS
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Better Man is written and directed by writer, director, actor and teacher Khoa Do.

Better Man is written and directed by writer, director, actor and teacher Khoa Do.

Better Man is four part mini-series on the true story of a 25-year-old Vietnamese-Australian man executed for drug trafficking in Singapore in 2005.

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SBS announced today that it has commissioned its first drama series in three years.

Better Man is a four part mini-series on the true story of Van Nguyen; a Vietnamese Australian man who was convicted of drug trafficking in Singapore and executed in 2005.

His hanging was the first execution of an Australian in Southeast Asia since 1993. Nguyen was 25-years-old.

At the time, the Australian government was criticised for not doing enough for Nguyen, despite state and federal pleas for clemency.

Then Federal health minister in the Howard government, Tony Abbott said the punishment "certainly did not fit the crime.... but people do need to understand that drug trafficking is a very serious offence".

His case divided Australian opinions on the death penalty.

An opinion poll showed 47% of Australians believed he should be executed, 46% said the death penalty should not be carried out.

SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid said Better Man is an example of the sort of compelling content that SBS can create with sustainable funding.

“Whilst our unprecedented Federal Budget funding boost is largely addressing the challenges we’ve faced in a changing media landscape, it has also enabled us to get back into the business of drama programming which our audiences know when we do it, we do it well,” Mr Ebeid said.

Better Man is the first commission for Tony Iffland, SBS’s Director of TV and Online Content.

“It is a uniquely Australian story and one that only SBS would tell. SBS is proud to support this production which underlines our commitment to making the very best home-grown programming for all Australians,” Mr Iffland said.

Better Man is written and directed by writer, director, actor and teacher Khoa Do and is a FremantleMedia Australia production in association with Bravado Productions for SBS.

Production commences in October and will be filmed in Melbourne and Vietnam and broadcasted on SBS ONE next year.
 

SBS Drama

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Your Comments

Judgemental people, you make me ashamed to be human.

Paul - from Melbourne, 6 months ago

Who do you think you are to judge others like this?you seem like the type of people that would turn your backs on people that are in need. You have no compassion and its people like you that make it hard for others. Yes Van did sell drugs, but let me tell you what he did with his money.He supported the poor and he found homeless kids and gave them food and shelter and a reason to see hope in life.I was one of the kids that he found and he changed my life. He was a good man.You dont know anything

Hold the phone, Tom and Mary

Think Before You Speak - from Sydney, 8 months ago

Where in any of the information above did you read that the series would be glorifying a drug trafficker? In which part did you interpret SBS as creating a story that condones gangs and criminals? Tom I especially like the part where you used "quotation marks" for the word "hero" when the word hero does not exist in this press release at all. My question for you is "whom are you quoting?" It's probably all for the best that you won't watch the show, SBS makes tv for people with brains.

Glorifying drug trafficking!

Tom - from Brisbane, 10 months ago

This man deserved the death sentence. If he had succeeded in transporting the drugs through Singapore's customs, he would have caused untold misery to hundreds if not thousands of drug abuse addicts and their families. Why not make a film about the effects of drug abuse and the terrible things drugs can do to addicts? Why is SBS glorifying a drug trafficker for being a "hero" who died for his "cause" (unsuccessful drug trafficking)?? Is this what we want our young people to emulate?

Dissapointed SBS!!

Mary - from Melbourne, 10 months ago

Is SBS supporting a drug trafficker now? Just like Channel Ten making a show about crime gangs and criminals???? You just hit a big low and I'm disappointed with SBS and I won't be watching it. And no flares please, cause in reality, this guy committed the crime, and he has paid the price for that.

Only SBS would tackle such a topic.

Doreen Ferney - from Tarragindi, 10 months ago

What a wonderful and brave project to undertake. I so well remember the day the execution took place. Still sickens and saddens me. My heart goes out to the Bali 9 who linger on in an uncertain future.

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