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Ezra Furman first caught attention with his band as Ezra Furman and the Harpoons in 2006, but since then the Chicago native and California transplant has made a name for himself as a solo artist, too. Furman had already seen critical acclaim this year for solo debut The Year of No Returning, but 2013 hadn’t quite seen the last of Furman’s candid lyrics and raw delivery quite yet. Earlier this month, he released Day of the Dog, a follow-up solo record of rock n’ roll tunes with Furman’s characteristic punk flare. Watch the video for the track “My Zero” in...

An Australian film-maker who has been conducting a one man crusade against the management of government funding body Screen Australia says the organisation has now banned him from talking to it.

James Ricketson has been conducting a lengthy campaign complaining that the organisation has unfairly declined to fund his documentary project Chanti’s World. Screen Australia rejects this claim.

Ricketson writes an outspoken blog in which he rails against Screen Australia – and at times Encore magazine.

He has published on the blog a letter from Screen Australia CEO Ruth Harley telling him that the organisation will no longer deal with him because of “harassment and intimidation” of staff. The letter said:

“After giving the matter serious and careful consideration, Screen Australia has taken the decision that it will not accept further funding applications from you, or engage in correspondence with you about funding applications. I appreciate that this is an...

Australian star of films such as Crocodile Dundee, Australia and Rabbit-Proof Fence has been found dead in a park near Perth

David Ngoombujarra, one of the best-known Aboriginal actors and a three-time Australian Film Institute award winner, has died. Ngoombujarra, 44, had leading roles in films such as Australia, Ned Kelly and Rabbit-Proof Fence, and also featured in Crocodile Dundee and TV series Home and Away.

He was found dead in a park in Fremantle, the port city near Perth, on Sunday. Police report they are waiting for a toxicology report to determine the cause of death but say it was not suspicious.

Hugh Jackman, who worked with Ngoombujarra on Australia, expressed his sorrow on Twitter. "So saddened to hear about the passing of David Ngoombujarra Starr. An extraordinary man, actor and friend," he said. "His laugh, warmth and humanity will live on with all who knew him."

Ngoombujarra was born...

Resistance comes in all shapes and sizes. A friend was on a bus in inner-suburban Sydney when two small Aboriginal boys jumped on and sat down without paying their fares – the driver announced that the bus would not leave until they did. The bus didn't move, and the boys didn't move either. Minutes ticked past. The other passengers began to get annoyed. The boys sat tight. The driver called for back-up. A police car turned up. Before the police were out of the car, the boys had hopped off the bus and vanished. Pointless? Depends. The boys challenged the driver, and the driver lost. His bus was delayed and his timetable was disrupted, which was a result for the boys. Self-defeating? Probably.

Aboriginal resistance is not often recognised for what it is. When it comes to art, the strategies used by Aboriginal artists are as unfair and bloody-minded in their...