"The State of a Man"
Helium Pictures, New Mac and the ABC announced production of a new three-part documentary series, "The State of Man", hosted by award-winning journalist Marc Fennell ("Stuff the British Stole").
"The State of Man" is a provocative and deeply personal investigation by Marc Fennell into what it means to be a man in Australia today. It´s a Helium Pictures and New Mac production, developed and produced in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, with development assistance and production funding from Minderoo Pictures. Distributed by ABC Commercial and developed with the support of VicScreen. Executive Producer and Director: Melissa Maclean. Executive Producers: Mark Fennessy, Luke Clark and James McPherson. Journalist and Producer: Marc Fennell.
Over three episodes, Marc will explore modern masculinity and the rise of the online “manosphere,” examining the influence of big tech and the culture wars reshaping how Australian men perceive themselves.
With honesty and empathy, Marc confronts the underlying beliefs behind these shifts, unpacking the social and technological forces that shape them, the incentives that drive them, and his own blind spots as a man and father.
Marc Fennell is a Walkley-winning journalist and AACTA-nominated documentary filmmaker known for bold investigative storytelling with global reach. He created the award-winning "Stuff the British Stole" for ABC Australia and CBC Canada, and hosts SBS TV’s iconic game show "Mastermind".
Marc’s documentaries span continents and genres — from art heists to racism, tech scandals to stolen meteorites. His acclaimed titles include "School That Tried to End Racism", "Framed", "The Kingdom", "The Mission", "Red Flag", "Came From Nowhere", "Secret DNA of Us", and "Tell Me What You Really Think". He also created and hosts the ABC history-mystery podcast "No One Saw It Coming".
Helium’s Mark Fennessy reflected on the human and complex side of the title: “The State of Man' tackles one of the most urgent cultural shifts of our time. Unflinching and deeply human, Marc’s investigation offers rare insight into how the modern culture wars are shaping the lives of men and boys — often in ways we’re only beginning to understand. At times shocking and darkly funny, this bold series asks difficult questions with empathy and rigour, sparking a conversation Australia urgently needs," commented.
Mmeanwhile, Marc Fennell refers to the philosophical questions that underlie the story: “We’re not approaching this subject with outrage or finger-wagging. We’re approaching it with curiosity, openness, and empathy. We’re talking to men and women from all walks of life, trying to truly listen and understand what’s happening beneath the surface — and how we can do better, together," noted.
Susie Jones, ABC’s Head of Factual, praised the team: “The ABC is proud to partner again with Helium after the success of the series 'The Assembly', and with New Mac and the supremely talented Marc Fennell, to present this vitally important project exploring one of the most potent and complex social issues facing Australia today. We are inspired by the curiosity, integrity, and precision that Marc and the team are bringing to the series, which we believe will resonate deeply with our audiences," expressed.
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