Once Upon a Time in Punchbowl

A journey to call Australia home

2014•50m

Documentary

Tells the inside story of the challenges the Lebanese Australian community has faced in Australia and how they have fought to overcome them. This landmark documentary series hears from community leaders, police, families and individuals, as they combine to tell the compelling and dramatic story of a proud and resilient community, under intense pressure and scrutiny. The story begins in the 1970s when large numbers of Lebanese migrants flooded into Australia. Many were Muslim, most were traumatised by civil war, all were desperate to build a better future. Over the coming decades, these new Australians struggled to establish a new life in their adopted country.

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Language

Status

Returning Series

First Aired

June 19, 2014

Last Aired

July 10, 2014

Networks

SBS

Where to Watch

Region US · Lang EN

No providers available for this region.

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Seasons & Episodes

Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.

Season

1975-1996

Air date: 2014-06-19

Following the Lebanese Civil War thousands of refugees, more than half of them Muslim, pour into the Sydney suburb of Punchbowl sparking a clash of cultures.

1997-2001

Air date: 2014-06-26

By the late 1990's the Lebanese community is being terrorised by a violent criminal minority for whom drugs and criminal delinquency are the preferred lifestyle.

2001-2005

Air date: 2014-07-03

As 9/11 and the War on Terror puts thousands of Lebanese Australian Muslims in the firing line, their loyalty is questioned like never before and tensions explode.

2005-2012

Air date: 2014-07-10

After the Cronulla Beach riots in December 2005, lots of Lebanese Australians were left outraged at what they perceive as an attack by wider Australia on their Australian identity, their culture and religion. After rumours spread of reprisals against the Lakemba Mosque thousands met up to protect the building.