Unvaccinated, the documentary: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and adrenalised social media discourses in Australia

This PhD produced the short documentary Unvaccinated, exploring the experiences of Australians who chose not to receive COVID-19 vaccines. The research investigates power relations between filmmakers and participants and proposes an ethical, collaborative production model for documenting controversial issues. Drawing on Foucault and Gramsci, the project examines how social media polarisation and “adrenalised discourse” contributed to participants’ mistrust of mainstream media during the pandemic in Australia. Through interviews, shared analysis, and co-created on-camera discussions, participants helped shape their representation. The resulting Open Space documentary approach offers a code of practice that fosters trust, reduces harm, and supports more constructive public debate outcomes.