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Do I Have to Kill My Child...?

52m • Drama, Social issues, Relationships • 1976

A confronting drama, based on real cases.

Theme warning: This film contains distressing scenes related to child abuse and post-natal mental health. It deals with mature themes that may be confronting for some viewers, including depictions of psychological distress and family violence.

A disturbing drama about a young mother who physically abuses her baby. Feeling overwhelmed and aware that she’s not coping after the birth of her third child, she sends desperate cries for help. But her mother, husband, neighbour and clinic sister do not recognise the seriousness of the situation until the baby ends up in hospital with a fractured skull. A heart-wrenching film, with a powerful central performance from Jacki Weaver, that illustrates the experiences of many women who suffer from post-natal depression.

Film Australia, C.I.D Productions & International Women Film Fund.

© National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, C.I.D Productions

Director

Donald Crombie

Producer

Anthony Buckley

Language

English

Country

Australia

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