Cinespace is launching an anthology of short anti-racism films for TikTok pitched at 12- 15-year-olds funded by Multicultural Victoria’s Local Anti-Racism Initiatives Program.
The phrase “It’s just a joke, mate!” is often used to excuse racist behaviour. This series of ten short clips turns the ‘joke’ on its head by exposing the toxic underpinnings of racism and demonstrates strategies for non-confrontational responses.
From an engaging primer on the history of how racism has become entrenched in our social constructs to ways that racism plays out in our day-to-day lives, the clips are intended to ‘word up’ people at a formative stage in their young lives to identify the nuances of racist behaviour in our society today. Dr. Sarah Tartakover, the education consultant from Victoria University, notes, “This project engages young people in discourse around racism. The discussions it provokes are critical to achieving a more equitable and just society.”
A key element of the approach to this series is to recognise the insidious ways in which racism of the colonial imperative has been embedded in all our social systems and has made us all complicitous. Accordingly, we take the view that dealing with racism is a collective responsibility.
A NEW APPROACH TO AN ENTRENCHED PROBLEM, DELIVERED STRAIGHT UP
"In this curated series of TikTok truth bombs, 'Here's the Real Joke' cuts to the heart of young people's experiences of enduring racism, in their words and on their terms. This collection of clips cleverly addresses the what, why and how of racism, via a cast of culturally diverse young Australians who drop facts in ways that resonate with an intended audience of 12-15years olds. Kudos to producer Steve Pereira for reading the room on this series with a new approach to an entrenched problem, delivered straight up."
- Tasneem Chopra, Cross-Cultural Consultant OAM
WATCH NOW
Designed for TikTok with an emphasis on authenticity, the style of the series is deliberately raw, honest, direct, and informative. And humorous.
The series is anchored by First Nations actor Tahlee Fereday and features an exciting cast of six young, emerging, culturally diverse performers: Belinda Mawoko, Claudia Fan, Esha Hasan, Lily Major, Stinoj Shaju, and Tiernyn Taula. Written by Chido Mwat, Kevin Racines and Steve RE Pereira, the series is produced and directed by Steve RE Pereira.