Folau on ABC – This two-part documentary is the much-anticipated story of one of Australia’s most gifted and controversial athletes, and how a social media post landed him at the heart of our culture wars, derailing careers in the process.
For the first time Israel Folau’s story is examined in all its multi-layered complexity, featuring crucial Pasifika voices and exploring the nexus between freedom of religion and speech, the rights of the LGBTQI community, and how far the workplace can reasonably go to balance the two.
PART 1 traces Israel Folau’s upbringing in the devout Christian traditions of the Pasifika community, whose other ‘religion’ is rugby.
It follows his meteoric and record setting rise through three football codes, culminating in 73 appearances for the Wallabies. While initially grappling with the pitfalls of fame and fortune, when his father Eni experiences a major health scare, Folau re-evaluates his choices, setting him on a path that will alter the course of his career and life forever.
Production credit: 2 x 60 mins. An In Films Production. Principal production investment from Screen Australia and developed with support from Screen NSW. ABC Commissioning Editor: Jo Chichester. ABC Head, Screen Sport & Events: Kath Earle. Director: Nel Minchin. Producer: Ivan O’Mahoney.
Folau – Thursday 18 May, 2023 on ABC and ABC iview
Media Release – ABC
TV Central ABC content HERE
