John Safran Meet the Author

John Safran will be in conversation with Kim Rubenstein on his new book Squat, in which he recounts his time squatting in a Hollywood celebrity’s abandoned mansion..With the celebrity’s promotion of Hitler as a kick-off point, Safran explores threads of Jewishness, identity and belonging – topics that couldn’t hit closer to home.

Australia’s most intrepid Jew, John Safran, is known for pushing boundaries – his own, other people’s and society’s – to examine big questions about life and belief from an utterly original perspective.

Dangerous and hilarious, Squat examines just how precarious identity and belonging can be

John Safran is a Melbourne writer and filmmaker. His book Puff Piece, exploring Big Tobacco and vaping, was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards. His debut, Murder in Mississippi, won the Ned Kelly Award for Best True Crime. His latest documentary, Who The Bloody Hell Are We?, looking at the secret history of Australia, was nominated for an Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts award. His first two television series John Safran’s Music Jamboree and John Safran vs God won the Academy’s comedy awards.

Professor Kim Rubenstein, lawyer, academic, author, distinguished human rights advocate, is a champion of equal opportunity and active citizenship. She is a Professor in the Faculty of Business Government and Law at the University of Canberra and an Honorary Professor at the ANU.

This event is in association with Harry Hartog Bookshop. Books will be available for purchase. Pre-event book signings will be available from 5.30pm and again after the event.