This controversial and provocative film is about domestic violence. It is also a critique of the feminist analysis of violence and its impact on government policy. The central story is about an Italian family where the father ran his wife's car off the road and then shot her in front of his three daughters. The film contrasts the way the girls tell their story with the ideologically driven National Strategy on Violence Against Women. Ultimately the film advocates a response to the complex issue of violence that looks at the full range of causal factors.

An excellent film for generating debate. Indeed, the film was so controversial at the time, that SBS decided to broadcast a debate the following night between the film-maker and other protagonists from the film.

More information about this film can be found here... Synopsis

The SBS ads for Deadly Hurt and The Deadly Hurt Debate can be viewed here... Theatrette

Excerpts from Deadly Hurt can be viewed on the National Film & Sound Archive's 'Australian Screen' website here... Movie Clips