Stan is diving deep into one of the most divisive chapters in Australian political history with Revealed – Joh: Last King of Queensland, premiering Sunday, June 22.
The feature-length documentary takes aim at the nearly 20-year reign of Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, whose hardline grip on power and polarizing style defined an era. Actor Richard Roxburgh portrays Bjelke-Petersen, bringing dramatic weight to the former Premier’s controversial legacy.
Helmed by Kriv Stenders—who grew up during the Bjelke years—the film draws on rare archival footage and contemporary interviews to track the rise, consolidation, and eventual unraveling of Joh’s rule, beginning with his ousting in November 1987.
Stenders positions Bjelke-Petersen as both a symbol of progress and authoritarian control, inviting comparisons to modern populists including Donald Trump. The documentary’s perspective is personal as much as political, exploring how Bjelke’s era still lingers in Queensland’s institutional memory.
Produced by WildBear Entertainment and backed by Screen Australia, Screen NSW, and Screen Queensland, the film is also a finalist for the Documentary Australia Award at the 2025 Sydney Film Festival—a sign of industry heat heading into its release window.
