Latest news with #AdamThompson
SBS Australia
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
"Tenderness and tension": Producer Catherine Pettman on the fragile beauty of 'Moonbird'
Sonny (Lennox Monaghan) holding a baby muttonbird. Credit: Jillian Mundy Filmed entirely on location on tayaritja, lutruwita (Great/Big Dog Island, Tasmania), new 6-part SBS and NITV Digital Originals series Moonbird explores the relationship between a recently sober father (Kyle Morrison; in his first leading role) and his son (Lennox Monaghan; Deadloch , Windcatcher ) who attempt to reconnect through a traditional muttonbirding season on a remote Tasmanian island. Produced by Catherine Pettman (who worked as a production manager on another SBS original, The Tailings ) and written by Adam Thompson (who has written several episodes of Logie Award-winning children's animation Little J & Big Cuz ) and Nathan Maynard (who wrote episodes of Deadloch and Stuff the British Stole ), Moonbird is a beautiful glimpse into the traditions of the Palawa people. "As writers and storytellers we wanted to share some of this special place with the world. To share the unique landscape, culture and way of life," said writer and Palawa man Adam Thompson in a statement. Coloured by gorgeous landscapes, the short drama series observes the importance of tradition to First Nations peoples, while also revealing the dark truths of how the breakdown of culture can have disastrous effects. In an interview with SBS, Catherine Pettman discusses the myriad wonders that came with working on Moonbird , from crafting the short series alongside female filmmakers to shooting on the fragile yet mesmerising land of the Palawa people: tayaritja. Moonbird offers a unique glimpse into the unique world of muttonbirding. What did it mean for you to create something that allows viewers to look into this tradition and were there any challenges that came about during production? I feel deeply honoured to be part of bringing this story to life — inviting audiences into the rarely seen world of muttonbirding, a tradition woven through place, family and survival. Big Dog Island, just south of Flinders Island in Bass Strait, is separated by a shifting tidal passage making access unpredictable and weather dependent. With near zero infrastructure on the island, we were challenged by a constant shuffle between barges and boats to get everything we needed on and off the island daily. Given the remoteness it was a tough shoot, but the team rose to the challenge spectacularly. While the island in Moonbird is fictional, the shooting location, Big Dog Island, is very much real, beautiful and has a deep history entrenched in the soil. What was it like creating Moonbird amongst such important lands? Big Dog Island is extraordinary — wild, remote, and teeming with life, with hundreds of thousands of burrows covering the island, sheltering the next generation of birds. From the beginning, we knew that protecting this fragile habitat was paramount. Every step of filming was approached with care and respect — not just for the environment, but for the Palawa people and their traditions at the heart of the story. We took great care to protect the fragile habitat, ensuring every step was respectful to the land, the birds and the story we were telling. Moonbird explores the need to reconcile the past through truth-telling, through the effort to heal fractured relationships, even as we acknowledge how hard that is within systems that continue to apply pressure. What is your most cherished memory or moment from the creation of Moonbird ? One of my most treasured memories from the film shoot was being awoken before dawn to the wild calls of the yula/muttonbird outside my tent—a haunting, beautiful sound, a clear signal to me I was a guest in a place few people ever get to experience. The island's raw, untouched beauty was unforgettable; its energy made us all feel like we were part of something deeply special. My most cherished moment, though, came on our final night. After a feast of wild island food, we gathered to reflect on the privilege of being welcomed into Adam (Thompson) and Nathan (Maynard)'s world. We'd all learned so much—not just about the land, but about resilience, heritage and care. I was especially grateful to our young actor, Lennox Monaghan, whose powerful, authentic performance as Sonny anchored the story. It was an emotional night—of joy and a little sorrow that it was ending. The island had moved us. It gave us something we'll carry forever. While there is certainly a lot of light in Moonbird , there is also darkness, especially around how the breakdown of culture can affect Indigenous peoples. Could you talk about exploring this duality in Moonbird ? Moonbird holds a deep emotional complexity. I feel in creating the story, Adam and Nathan skillfully navigated the duality of tenderness and tension—those intimate, warm moments between a father and son working to mend their bond, contrasted with the painful reality of disconnection: from family, from culture, from self. While there is a lot of light in the story, there's also a necessary darkness. The breakdown of culture—its theft, suppression and slow erosion—has left lasting wounds. Moonbird explores the need to reconcile the past through truth-telling, through the effort to heal fractured relationships, even as we acknowledge how hard that is within systems that continue to apply pressure. The island becomes a metaphor for this struggle—a place of breathtaking beauty, yet always at risk. I feel a deep sense of gratitude for my life here in lutruwita/Tasmania — it's an extraordinary place, and with that comes a responsibility to support stories that speak truthfully to its history. You've noted a strong female contingent working on Moonbird behind the scenes. Could you speak on how that experience felt for you and the positive impacts this had on the creation of Moonbird ? We had around 40% female crew on Moonbird and the impact of that was incredibly positive. I'm always mindful of creating opportunities for women across all departments and on this project, that balance really enriched the experience. Living and working so closely together on location, there was a strong sense of support, shared knowledge and mentorship. The diversity within the crew encouraged dynamic decision-making and genuine collaboration. It fostered a community of like-minded souls, where stories and skills were exchanged freely. Having such experienced, capable women on set—many of them role models—was a clear reminder that parity not only works, it elevates the entire production. You have worked on multiple short films and full-length films which tackle important topics and sometimes topics that do not get spoken on enough. How did this history inform your approach to telling the important stories of the Palawa people? I feel a deep sense of gratitude for my life here in lutruwita/Tasmania — it's an extraordinary place and with that comes a responsibility to support stories that speak truthfully to its history. Over the years, I've worked on projects that seek to give voice to stories not often heard and that experience has shaped how I approach work like Moonbird . As a non-Aboriginal woman, I've learned a great deal from the Palawa community and I carry a deep respect for the knowledge and generosity so many have shared with me. With Moonbird , my focus was on supporting Adam and Nathan to bring a powerful dramatic story to television — one that's rooted in their lived experiences and cultural strength. My role was to back their vision; it was a privilege to learn from them and help bring their story into the world. SBS and NITV Digital Originals series Moonbird is now streaming on SBS On Demand. Share this with family and friends SBS's award winning companion podcast. Join host Yumi Stynes for Seen, a new SBS podcast about cultural creatives who have risen to excellence despite a role-model vacuum.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Nigel Farage humiliated by ex-teacher's question about 'awful case'
Labour's Adam Thompson and Angela Rayner poked fun of Nigel Farage after the Reform leader claimed to have unearthed £7billion of savings when the real figure was 250 times lower Nigel Farage's dodgy maths has been brutally mocked at PMQs. Labour MP Adam Thompson, a former teacher, drew laughs across the Commons as he highlighted an "awful" case where a 61-year-old man got his sums horrifically wrong. He demanded to know what the Government was doing to help adults learn maths after leaving school. He then revealed he was talking about the Reform UK leader. Mr Farage came under fire after claiming to have unearthed £7billion of "wasteful" spending on diversity and equality programmes in Whitehall. But closer inspection showed the civil service actually spent £27million - 250 times less, the Commons heard. The Reform leader looked sheepish as both Mr Thompson and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner poked fun of him. Ms Rayner showed it proved that Reform's sums "don't add up". Backbencher Mr Thompson asked: "As a trained physics teacher and a former engineering lecturer, can I ask the Deputy Prime Minister what this government is doing to help people improve their math skills after they've left school? "I came across an awful case the other day, a 61-year-old man who believes he counted up £7billion in government spending, but it was really only £27 million. "What can we do to people like the leader of Reform UK, who evidently can't add up." Mr Farage, 61, watched on as the exchange unfolded. Ms Rayner, who was stepping in for Keir Starmer as he was returning from the G7 summit in Canada, responded: "Mr Speaker, my friend highlights an important fact - Reform's sums simply don't add up. "He'll be pleased to know that we're investing £136million for skills boot camps, and I will be sure to send the details to the honourable member for Clacton (Mr Farage)." At the end of last month, Reform said cutting DEI programmes would make the massive saving. A spokesman for the party told The Times that the figure came from a review of spending carried out by the Conservative Way Forward group. It also includes councils, school boards, universities and government grants to charities, the newspaper reported - and even that figure is under dispute.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hospital employee with Tourette syndrome says he was fired for ‘making faces' at boss
A hospital employee with Tourette syndrome got fired after just a week on the job when the head of HR allegedly became offended that the man — whose persistent tics, such as squinting, grimacing, and eye-blinking are totally involuntary — was 'making faces' at him. In a federal civil rights lawsuit filed Friday and obtained first by The Independent, former project manager Adam Thompson accuses the White Plains Hospital Medical Center of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by terminating him over a physical condition he cannot control. The suit says Thompson disclosed his condition to hospital officials during the interview process and even provided a letter from his doctor that 'unequivocally' confirmed his fitness for duty. Still, it contends, the VP of human resources mistook Thompson's spontaneous facial movements as 'confrontational' and called for his immediate termination. In an email, White Plains Hospital's senior director of communications, Michael Gelormino, said, 'It is our policy not to comment on pending litigation.' Thompson began working at White Plains Hospital on October 28, 2024 as a senior 'MEP' project manager, responsible for overseeing all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems throughout the facility, according to the complaint filed with his lawsuit. His previous experience as an MEP manager, coordinator, and superintendent meant he'd easily be able to ensure all new construction met design specifications, safety codes, and deadlines, the complaint states. Before he took the job, Thompson informed his supervisor-to-be that he suffers from Tourette syndrome as well as ADHD, but takes medication to control both and neither interfere at all with his ability to work, the complaint continues, adding that Thompson's personal physician confirmed as much in writing. It says this 'proactive approach' met with 'positive feedback' from higher-ups, who recognized Thompson's 'competence and commitment.' 'However,' the complaint goes on, Thompson's 'situation took a troubling turn on November 4, 2024, during a mandatory New Hire Orientation.' While at the orientation, Thompson briefly texted with his wife about 'urgent' childcare arrangements, according to the complaint. 'He was then abruptly confronted by… the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, demanding that [he] put his phone away because he was 'disrespecting' the speakers,' the complaint states. It says Thompson 'immediately complied,' offered an apology, and explained why he had been using the phone. But, the complaint alleges, the assistant VP of HR was unmoved, and instructed Thompson to leave the orientation. During his interaction with the assistant VP of HR, Thompson 'exhibited typical symptoms' of Tourette syndrome, which the complaint describes as 'eye blinking, squinting, facial grimacing, twitching, and mouth movements.' 'All of these were symptoms out of [Thompson's] control,' the complaint states. 'Immediately after the orientation ended, [Thompson] met with [the assistant VP of HR] to apologize again and reiterated the circumstances, seeking to resolve the misunderstanding amicably. [The assistant VP] assured [Thompson] that the matter was resolved.' Thompson then returned to the orientation, where, to his 'utter shock,' his supervisor told him that the assistant VP of HR was escalating the issue to his own bosses, according to the complaint. The next day, Thompson met with the director of HR, who said his assistant VP 'remained upset,' and that the hospital's senior leadership was now involved, the complaint says. The assistant VP had portrayed Thompson as 'confrontational,' and claimed he had been 'making faces' at him, the complaint states. But the faces were 'a direct result of' Thompson's Tourette syndrome, something he had 'openly disclosed' to the hospital, according to the complaint. 'On November 6, 2024, just two days after the incident… White Plains Hospital terminated [Thompson] from employment because he was allegedly 'confrontational' and 'making faces' at [the assistant VP of HR], with no further explanation provided,' the complaint says. In recent years, numerous famous names have revealed their own Tourette syndrome diagnoses, including singer Billie Eilish, boxing champion Tevin Farmer, and comedian Dan Aykroyd. Most Tourette symptoms manifest themselves as Thompson's; very few people with Tourette syndrome blurt out curse words and swear uncontrollably. Thompson is seeking damages to be determined by a jury, including compensation for mental anguish, emotional distress, humiliation, embarrassment, anxiety, and loss of self-esteem, self-confidence and personal dignity, plus reinstatement to his position at White Plains Hospital.
The Independent
11-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Hospital employee with Tourette syndrome says he was fired for ‘making faces' at boss
A hospital employee with Tourette syndrome got fired after just a week on the job when the head of HR allegedly became offended that the man — whose persistent tics, such as squinting, grimacing, and eye-blinking are totally involuntary — was 'making faces' at him. In a federal civil rights lawsuit filed Friday and obtained first by The Independent, former project manager Adam Thompson accuses the White Plains Hospital Medical Center of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by terminating him over a physical condition he cannot control. The suit says Thompson disclosed his condition to hospital officials during the interview process and even provided a letter from his doctor that 'unequivocally' confirmed his fitness for duty. Still, it contends, the VP of human resources mistook Thompson's spontaneous facial movements as 'confrontational' and called for his immediate termination. In an email, White Plains Hospital's senior director of communications, Michael Gelormino, said, 'It is our policy not to comment on pending litigation.' Thompson began working at White Plains Hospital on October 28, 2024 as a senior 'MEP' project manager, responsible for overseeing all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems throughout the facility, according to the complaint filed with his lawsuit. His previous experience as an MEP manager, coordinator, and superintendent meant he'd easily be able to ensure all new construction met design specifications, safety codes, and deadlines, the complaint states. Before he took the job, Thompson informed his supervisor-to-be that he suffers from Tourette syndrome as well as ADHD, but takes medication to control both and neither interfere at all with his ability to work, the complaint continues, adding that Thompson's personal physician confirmed as much in writing. It says this 'proactive approach' met with 'positive feedback' from higher-ups, who recognized Thompson's 'competence and commitment.' 'However,' the complaint goes on, Thompson's 'situation took a troubling turn on November 4, 2024, during a mandatory New Hire Orientation.' While at the orientation, Thompson briefly texted with his wife about 'urgent' childcare arrangements, according to the complaint. 'He was then abruptly confronted by… the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, demanding that [he] put his phone away because he was 'disrespecting' the speakers,' the complaint states. It says Thompson 'immediately complied,' offered an apology, and explained why he had been using the phone. But, the complaint alleges, the assistant VP of HR was unmoved, and instructed Thompson to leave the orientation. During his interaction with the assistant VP of HR, Thompson 'exhibited typical symptoms' of Tourette syndrome, which the complaint describes as 'eye blinking, squinting, facial grimacing, twitching, and mouth movements.' 'All of these were symptoms out of [Thompson's] control,' the complaint states. 'Immediately after the orientation ended, [Thompson] met with [the assistant VP of HR] to apologize again and reiterated the circumstances, seeking to resolve the misunderstanding amicably. [The assistant VP] assured [Thompson] that the matter was resolved.' Thompson then returned to the orientation, where, to his 'utter shock,' his supervisor told him that the assistant VP of HR was escalating the issue to his own bosses, according to the complaint. The next day, Thompson met with the director of HR, who said his assistant VP 'remained upset,' and that the hospital's senior leadership was now involved, the complaint says. The assistant VP had portrayed Thompson as 'confrontational,' and claimed he had been 'making faces' at him, the complaint states. But the faces were 'a direct result of' Thompson's Tourette syndrome, something he had 'openly disclosed' to the hospital, according to the complaint. 'On November 6, 2024, just two days after the incident… White Plains Hospital terminated [Thompson] from employment because he was allegedly 'confrontational' and 'making faces' at [the assistant VP of HR], with no further explanation provided,' the complaint says. In recent years, numerous famous names have revealed their own Tourette syndrome diagnoses, including singer Billie Eilish, boxing champion Tevin Farmer, and comedian Dan Aykroyd. Most Tourette symptoms manifest themselves as Thompson's; very few people with Tourette syndrome blurt out curse words and swear uncontrollably. Thompson is seeking damages to be determined by a jury, including compensation for mental anguish, emotional distress, humiliation, embarrassment, anxiety, and loss of self-esteem, self-confidence and personal dignity, plus reinstatement to his position at White Plains Hospital.
