Film focus on domestic violence

CAIRNS actor and law student Ashleigh Lawrence is hoping to put the widespread issue of domestic violence at the forefront of the community’s minds through a short film she intends to produce in the region.

Ms Lawrence, who has seen numerous DV cases through her work in family law, has no qualms about presenting confronting scenes to audiences to get the message across about the prevalence of domestic violence across Australia.

Her film features a young character, Deidre, who tries to flee her troubled life, but instead finds herself dealing with issues such as psychological and sexual abuse, a psychopath, suicide attempts and an attempted murder charge – all with the underlying thread of domestic violence.

Ms Lawrence says there are too many real life stories like Deidre’s in the community.

On average in Australia, one woman is murdered each week by her current or former partner and 85 per cent of women have been sexually harassed.

“Domestic violence is ongoing. It’s not going away and we need to promote more awareness,” says Ms Lawrence, who believes film is one way of educating people and making them pay attention to the seriousness of the issue in the community.

“I think there is a wider cultural change needed to combat domestic violence, including better education and changes of attitude towards women,” she says.

Ms Lawrence says the short film, called Deceit, although confronting at times, will also contain lighter-hearted and entertaining moments.

She hopes it will help get the message out that domestic violence is a widespread issue with many costs and consequences.

“There are certain scenes that may be difficult for some people to receive,” she says.

“But I think it’s something that needs to be done.”

Through social media and community campaigns, the young filmmaker is hoping to raise $1000 to cover costs associated with producing the short film.

“We do have a lot of people prepared to volunteer their time, but we can’t expect everybody to volunteer for the entire project.

“There are things required such as permits and we have equipment hire and other costs where the funding will go,” Ms Lawrence says.

Later, she hopes Deceit will be made into a full-length feature or series of films.

“The aim is to create a pilot or trailer and hopefully that will generate enough interest to rouse people’s curiosity enough so they’d like to watch the full-length version.

“From there we can hopefully launch off that and get further funding to make a feature film.”

To help offset the cost of the project, visit https://www.facebook .com/donate/554153062002132/102203 35693406511/ online.

More information on the film and project can also be found at https://ashleighashleighas. wixsite. com/ deceitshortfilm online.