Movies of War

ShareFacebookX (formerly Twitter)TranscriptBTN Transcript: Episode 7- 17/3/2026Hey, I'm Amelia Moseley and you're watching BTN. Thanks for hanging out with us again. Let's see what's coming up on today's show. We meet the man behind some big Hollywood sounds, chat with an upcoming motorsport star and learn about the life of another trailblazing Australian woman.Oil PricesReporter: Wren GillettINTRO: But first today to something impacting people around the world and that's the price of oil. The war in Iran has caused the biggest disruption in the supply of oil that the world has ever seen. Wren found out more.CARTOON: I'm rich, I'm rich, I'm rich.It's a slimy black substance that's been shaping the globe for more than a century. Driving economies, fuelling innovation, and sometimes causing conflict.TV SHOW: Oil, that is, black gold, Texas tea.Oil is actually made from ancient living things, mostly tiny bits of plant-like bacteria. When they died, they sank to the seafloor, and over millions and millions of years, heat and pressure transformed them into the energy-rich liquid we call oil, and that's exactly why we call it a fossil fuel. While it's been used for millennia, the first commercial oil well was drilled in the US in 1859. Starting a revolution that changed the world.You see, oil is really good at holding energy, and when it's burned that energy is released. Once it's refined and impurities are taken out, oil can be turned into petrol or diesel to power cars, trucks, trains, ships, aircraft and all sorts of other vehicles. Oil also lubricates machinery, keeping it moving smoothly, and it's turned into asphalt on roads. It contains chemicals that are used to make all sorts of things from artificial food flavours to makeup, and fertilisers to help crops grow. It's also what plastic is made from, so it's in pretty much everything.WREN GILLETT, BTN REPORTER: Chances are everything you see has either been made using oil or been transported using oil. Your computer, lunchbox, the stuff in your pencil case, your water bottle. Even your clothes. So, yeah, oil is pretty important, and so are the countries that have a lot of it.These are all the countries with oil reserves. Venezuela has the most, but a lot of the world's oil comes from the Middle East, which is why when conflict breaks out there, the impact can be felt all around the globe.NEWS: The price of crude oil has risen above 100 dollars a barrel.NEWS: Filling up has become a lot more expensive.NEWS: Stations across the country now rationing their fuel.Iran is one of the world's biggest oil producers. It also borders the strait of Hormuz, a narrow body of water that roughly 20 per cent of the world's oil reserves travel through. But the conflict has disrupted that flow. That means less oil is being delivered to parts of the world that rely on it, including Australia.WREN: In the past couple of weeks the price of petrol has gone up a lot, and it's having a big impact on a lot of people.As well as costing your parents more to drive you about, it's costing companies more to transport goods. It's also having a big impact on farmers, who need diesel to power their machines.FARMER: We're below 500 litres, we've stopped all operations.And if the situation continues to get worse, it could push up the price of all sorts of things. In response, some people have started stockpiling groceries and petrol.ROWAN LEE, THE AUSTRALIAN CONVENIENCE AND PETROLEUM MARKETS ASSOCIATION: We've had up to a month's supply leave the system in a matter of a few days.But the Government says we are not actually running out, and has asked people not to panic-buy.CHRIS BOWEN, ENERGY MINISTER: I do want to say that Australia enters this period of great instability very well prepared, much better prepared than in previous crisis.Like many countries, Australia keeps an emergency supply of fuel, and it's decided to release some of that and to allow lower quality fuel into the country to try to push down prices. Meanwhile some oil-producing countries say they'll boost production to help fill the gap. Some reckon the situation has highlighted the need to switch to renewable energy.CHRIS BOWEN: The most secure form of energy for Australia is our renewable energy.But in a world built around oil, our need for this ancient, slimy black substance won't be gone anytime soon.Did you know?Did you know, before the oil industry came about, a major source of oil for heating and lubricating machinery was whales. Whales were hunted for their blubber which was used in all sorts of things from soaps to paint and lamps, but crude oil was cheaper and easier to produce.NT and Qld FloodsReporter: Tatenda ChibikaINTRO: Now to Australia's Top End, where thousands of people have been impacted by devastating floods. Several rivers in the NT and Queensland have broken their banks after a huge amount of rain. Here's Tatenda.Tully: Recently, we've had the rains here in Katherine which have led to mass flooding.LILY: That's the water level there.These were the scenes facing many people in Australia's north as devasting and deadly floods hit the Northern Territory and Queensland.TULLY: So, we can see there, that's our bridge level there it's at about 17 right now. This time last week it was about 7. My school, we've been in an evacuation centre, so I haven't been able to go to school for the past four days.LILY: We went to the cinema, and we stayed at the highest floor, and we boiled the water so we can drink it.In Katherine, the river peaked at 19.2 metres causing the towns worst flooding in nearly 30 years. The Daly River, which is 354 kilometres long and flows all the way out to the Timor Sea, peaked to a historic high of more than 15.5 metres, exceeding it's 1957 record. Three entire communities were evacuated as the flood water damaged roads and homes. Their homes are inundated; there is not a building in Daly River that is not under water. And because this is croc country, the extra water meant crocs in unexpected places.PERSON: And over here, there's a big goanna here, I think that's a about close enough I reckon.Queensland was also hit hard. The Burnett River swelled to 7.4 metres and even more people were forced to leave their homes as flood water took over.PERSON: It's gut wrenching, it's absolutely gut wrenching. We've tried our hardest to get our stuff out as much as possible.And as the week went on, the water moved inland to towns like Chinchilla and Longreach.Tatenda, Reporter: So, of course all of this is caused by lots and lots of rain but what's causing the rain? Well, I'm not a meteorologist but, I know someone who is. Hey Nate.Nate Byrne, Weather Presenter: Hey Tatenda, well luckily, I'm always ready to accept your calls in times of weather emergency.TATENDA: Can you tell us what's behind all this wet weather?Nate Byrne: So, we've had several tropical lows, one after the other, and the thing is, it's how slow these ones have been moving that's really caused the problem.As Nate explained, a tropical low-pressure system is a patch of hot rising air which pulls in moist air from the surrounding oceans, which then rises forming big rain clouds and a spinning weather system. He says they're fairly common up north at this time of year.Nate Byrne: Because it's the wet season, essentially, we're warmer at this time of year than at any other. That means there's a lot more evaporation happening, a lot more moisture in the air ready to be picked upBut because they've come so close together and stuck around all that rain has added up to record floods and it may not be over yet.Nate Byrne: But then, Tatenda, we've just got to look to the north again because we've got, believe it or not, yet another tropical low that's developing well off to the north-east of us at the moment.In the meantime, people in flood hit parts of Australia are doing what they can to look after each other whether it's handing out sandbags or supplies or getting together to start the big job of cleaning up.PERSON: We're locals and you know we've got to come together don't you in times like this as the top end waits for an end to this big wet.News QuizDavid Littleproud has stepped down as the leader of which political party? Is it One Nation, The Nationals or the Greens? It's the Nationals, they form part of the Liberal National Coalition that, right now, is Australia's main opposition. Littleproud's role has been taken over by Queensland Senator Matt Canavan.More than 1.3 million kids had to pause their NAPLAN tests last week because of a major IT glitch. The only test that wasn't affected was year 3 writing. Do you know why? It's because year 3 writing is the only test that's not completed online. Everyone else had to stop when the website stopped working about 5 minutes into the test. They were able to pick up where they left off when the tests were back online.NASA has announced a new target launch date for its manned mission around the moon. Do you know its name? Is it Apollo 2, Aramis 2 or Artemis 2? It's Artemis 2. It was due to launch earlier this month and take a crew to orbit the moon, but it had to be set back because of a fuel leak in the SLS rocket. Now NASA says it's aiming for the first of April.And do you know which film won best animated feature at this year's Oscars? Was it K-Pop Demon Hunters, Little Amelie or Elio? It was K-Pop Demon Hunters.Movie SoundsReporter: Wren GillettINTRO: As you just heard, the Oscars have been handed out in Hollywood, which got us thinking about the movies and all of the talented people who make them, including some you might not know about. Wren went to meet someone who helps to create the sounds of some really big blockbusters. Check it out.This might not look like the heart of Hollywood, but John's studio is where the sounds from some very famous blockbusters have been born. Think this…THE TRUMAN SHOW: Truman.This…KING KONG: *Car smashes*This…THE LEGO MOVIE: Sorry, I wasn't listening, I've just been bat-mailing on my bat-phone.This…HAPPY FEET: Good morning Miss Viola.JOHN SIMPSON, FOLEY ARTIST: There were a lot of penguins in happy feet. Make some nice snow. For the snow sound we just used wet snow.John here is a Foley artist, a job that's all about creating sounds for film and TV. Whether that be human footsteps on carpet, concrete, in a puddle, horse gallops, tire skids, anything really.JOHN: There's nothing like squishing a Zombie's head against a brick wall.The art form started with this guy, Jack Foley, who worked at Universal Studios in the 1920s.JOHN: Before, you know, you'd go to a cinema and there'd be a guy playing an organ in there and there'd just be titles with all the words there was no dialogue and then eventually dialogue came in on the movie Showboat.SHOW BOAT: You have made me so happy.JOHN: And yeah then they decided they wanted to hear footsteps and things and then it just increased from there.These days, Foley is used in nearly all professional films and TV shows, and John has worked on quite a lot of themWREN: Your job is pretty fun, do you love what you do?JOHN: Look, I'm going to be honest, it's the most fun you can have. Getting to create sounds and get paid for it and no one complains about the noise is fantastic.Honestly, it looks like so much fun that I just had to give it a go. First step? Record a movie with no sound. Yeah alright, it's not exactly Oscar worthy but work with me here. Next step, record the steps.JOHN: So, the trick is when you're doing feet is to do heel-toe. So, start on the spot. That's it. And you can just follow me.WREN: *Laughs*JOHN: That's actually pretty impressive. Okay, you're hired.WREN: Oh, great. Well, bye BTN.JOHN: I need a backup.Next, we focused on the bag, making the movement a bit bigger so the mic actually picks it up.JOHN: Just don't hit me in the head with it, I'll stand out the way.WREN: I'll try my best.And finally, we recreated the sound of the door.JOHN: That'll do me.WREN: Yep, yep.This was the end result.WREN: So, the next time everyone goes to the movies or watches something on their TV at home, what's something cool they can sort of think about?JOHN: Listen to the soundtrack. And you'll hear your feet, you'll hear birds, you'll start to hear things. Just listen.WREN: Use these.JOHN: Use your ears, yep.F4 DriverReporter: Amelia MoseleyINTRO: Now we're going to meet a teenager who's living out her dreams of being a race car driver. Joanne Ciconte races Formula 4 and is about to star in the new season of the documentary series F1: The Academy and I got to have a chat with her. Check it out.JOANNE CICONTE, F1 Academy Driver: So, I'm Joanne Ciconte. I'm 17 years old. I'm a Formula 4 racing car driver. So, last year I competed in the biggest global series for females in motorsport, which was the F1 Academy. So, that's 20 of the best female drivers around the world. I was the youngest participant, one of two Australians in that.F1 ACADEMY VIDEO: Tell me who's number one? Tell them you're number two now.AMELIA MOSELEY, REPORTER: So, Joanne, what was it like being part of the TV show F1: The Academy?Joanne: I never thought I'd be on Netflix. Like, it's insane. So, it's soon to be out, but having a bunch of cameras and having mics on you 24-7, even when you just get out of the car, it's quite challenging because I just like to be in my own space. It's amazing because I never thought that I'd be on the show and to see myself on such a platform is a huge pinch me moment.Amelia: How did you get started in motorsport?Joanne: So, my brother, he's actually two years younger than me, and He got introduced to go-karts. I kind of had to beg my dad to give me that opportunity. It's a bit funny because six years ago there was no females in motorsport because it was so male dominated. My dad just thought I wouldn't enjoy it. So, he didn't really bother getting me into the sport. But I eventually convinced him and I think I annoyed him because I just was constantly so eager to have a drive.Amelia: You really proved your dad wrong there.Joanne: I know. He had to even start hiding the lap times from my brother so he wouldn't see I was faster.AMELIA: Oh no, sibling rivalry goes to another level. Like, where is your head at when you're going to 240 kilometres?JOANNE: Everything around you just kind of blurs, and you're just at one with yourself in the car. You're just so focused on what you need to do and how you can improve your lap time, how you can overtake here. It's quite intense, but I love it.AMELIA: We haven't had a female driver start the F1 Grand Prix since 1976. How do you think we fix this?JOANNE: There was no females when I started. I was competing in a field of 49 boys, and I was the only girl. It's amazing to see those kind of, like, more female-dominated brands out there involving themselves, because I think that it will bring more of a female audience. Really embracing female talent on social media will also help. Being a girl or boy, like when that helmet goes on, we're all equal out there. We're all equal as a driver and we all think differently and we have our own styles.AMELIA: It is a bit of a trope, like every kid wants to be a race car driver. But what about for those, you know, kids and teens who are actually watching this and really do want to pursue it, even potentially as a hobby or even a career. What's your advice for them?JOANNE: 100 percent get yourself in any shape or form of machinery because it's like a lifetime experience. The speeds, the competitiveness, even when you're out with your friends and you go go-karting, imagine something just slightly faster. Motorsport is so much fun, and I really want to see more people do it.AMELIA: What do you want to be doing in the future? Like if I'm chatting to you in another like five years, what are you hoping?JOANNE: So, even as a young girl, I always dreamed about being in Formula One. So, my ultimate dream is to be Australia's first female Formula One driver.AMELIA: Yes. And then I can say "Hey, I interviewed her once on BTN". So, you've got to do it for me.JOANNE: I will. For you, I will.QuizHow many women have officially competed in a Formula 1 Grand Prix? 2, 5 or 9? The answer is five, although only 2 have actually qualified and started a race. Maria Teresa de Filippis was the first to do it in the 50s then, in the 70s, Lella Lombardi became the first woman to score points in the F1 World Championship.SportIt's been an action packed 10 days at the Winter Paralympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy. In the end, Australia won 2 medals and tied for 21st place with Poland with snowboarder Ben Tudhope clinching both medals for Australia. Bronze for the Men's banked Slalom and silver for the men's snowboard cross. Meanwhile, at just 16 years old, Liana France made history as Australia's Youngest Winter Paralympian.Oscar Piastri's F1 season is off to a rough start after crashing on his way to the grid last week in Melbourne, he didn't even make the start at the Chinese Grand Prix. Both Piastri and teammate Lando Norris couldn't race because of separate electrical problems with their McLarens. But it was full speed ahead for 19‑year‑old Kimi Antonelli from Italy who claimed his very first Formula One Victory.Finally, Hannah Green has won the Women's Australian Open. Just one shot separated Green from France's Agathe Laisné and fellow Aussie Cassie Porter, who tied for second place and the win marks Green's second victory of the season.Women's History Month — Margaret TuckerRookie Reporter: HarrietINTRO: Finally, today let's continue our series for Women's History Month learning about the lives of women who've helped to shape Australia. Today, Harriet will tell us about activist and writer, Margaret Tucker.This is Margaret Tucker. She was born on the 28th of March 1904 at Warangesda Mission near Narrandera. Her father was Wiradjuri and her mother was from the Yorta Yorta nation. When Margaret was a teenager, she was taken from her family. It's a story shared by thousands of First Nations people who were part of the stolen generations. Many of these children were sent to orphanages, missions or to live with white foster families. Margaret was sent to the Cootamundra Domestic Training Home for Aboriginal Girls.I cannot forget the details of that moment. It stands out as if it were yesterday. It broke our hearts tearing us apart by taking us away to learn domestic work. After two years of training, Margaret moved to Sydney where she spent 11 years serving white households. Margaret was often treated badly and abused by the families she worked for.By the 1930s, Margaret had had enough and moved to Melbourne where she and other First Nations people began campaigning for better treatment more rights and representation in parliament. This led to one of the country's first Aboriginal organisations, the Australian Aborigines League. On the 26th of January 1938 while the rest of the country was celebrating 150 years since the arrival of the First Fleet. Margaret and several other activists took part in the Day of Mourning Protest. It was the first demonstration of its kind and the beginnings of what we know today as NAIDOC week.In her later years she continued to fight for equality along with her daughter Molly and in 1968 she was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire. In 1977 Margaret became one of the first Indigenous authors to publish an autobiography which helped to teach white Australians about what it was like to be an Indigenous person in a country that didn't treat its first people equally. Margaret died in 1996, but her activism and story of resilience and resistance became a part of Australia's story and continues to inspire many today.CloserThat's all we've got for today, but we'll be back soon and as always, you can see more stories and specials and teacher resources on our website. You can also watch BTN High or BTN Newsbreak to stay up to date. Have a great week and I'll see you soon. Bye.Oil Prices 🛢️ There’s been a lot of talk this week about the price of oil, as fighting in the Middle East drives prices up around the world. NT and QLD Floods 🌨️ We meet some kids impacted by the floods and find out what brought so much rain to northern Australia. Movie Sounds 🎬 We meet a foley artist and learn how he creates sounds for Hollywood blockbusters. F4 Driver 🏎️ We meet Joanne, a 17-year-old Formula 4 driver from Victoria who’s gearing up to race at the Kyojo Cup in Japan. Margaret Tucker ✊ We continue our series celebrating pioneering Australian women by learning about activist and writer Margaret Tucker.CreditsAmelia Moseley, Presenter3h ago3 hours agoMon 16 Mar 2026 at 1:30pmShareFacebookX (formerly Twitter)5 itemsIn this episode1 of 5Oil PricesDuration: 4 minutes 17 seconds4m 17s2 of 5NT and QLD FloodsDuration: 4 minutes 4 seconds4m 4s3 of 5Movie SoundsDuration: 3 minutes 33 seconds3m 33s4 of 5F4 DriverDuration: 3 minutes 57 seconds3m 57s5 of 5Margaret TuckerDuration: 2 minutes 37 seconds2m 37sBTN Quiz Ep 7, 2026Episode 7 – Package (PDF)Episode 7 – Package (Word)Margaret Tucker – TR (PDF)NT and QLD Floods – TR (PDF)Back to top