CRONULLA RIOTS: THE DAY THAT SHOCKED A NATION
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The Cronulla riots of 2005 are not something one needs to sensationalise. Indeed, as this thoughtful, non-judgmental documentary demonstrates, it was hysteria from the media – and not just Alan Jones – that helped light the fuse in the first place.
So it is both appropriate and welcome that – when the material itself is still so scorching – these 80 minutes remain not just cool-headed, but visually spare and restrained.
Most of Riots is composed of simply framed talking heads, a variety of people who were either there on the day or were personally touched by the events. And we begin with several Australians of Lebanese background – some Muslim, some Christian – talking about growing up on Cronulla beach, and what a beautiful place it was to be: family friendly and effortlessly multicultural.
But then came September 11, 2001, and suddenly anyone of "Middle Eastern appearance" was regarded with deep suspicion. You get a really visceral sense of the absurdity of the change in attitude, seeing these very ordinary suburban Australians talk about the shift in their status.
They weren't angry. They weren't even particularly hurt by it. Mostly, they were completely bemused. But that shift in sentiment set in train a simmering distrust on both sides that, four years later, culminated in the appalling events of December 11 and 12.
It's still quite sickening to see the footage of the riots – the foul combination of glee and hatred on the faces – and it is hard to know what is sadder: the fundamental poisoning of the Australian spirit (for want of a better term) that lingers today; or the personal toll in that community. At least this ends on a hopeful note.
Among other things, one of the results of the riots was the establishment of a multicultural lifesaving crew on Cronulla beach that includes young Muslim women. It's a small step, but it's something.
Note: SBS Online received a Walkley Award for multi-media storytelling for its documentary, Cronulla Riots -The Day That Shocked the Nation. It screened last week and is still available on SBS on Demand.
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