Alcohol Abuse Advice

Rule of Thumb offers a disturbing view of the cycle of domestic violence in a small country town in Australia. Tom comes to the shocking realisation that he is repeating his father’s behaviour when drunkedness leads to an abusive encounter with his girlfriend. The use of hand held camera, black-and-white photography and video footage helps to heighten the sense of realism in the film, making this a powerful portrayal of the problems of unemployment, alcohol abuse and domestic violence for young people in contemporary rural communities. Cast: Kick Gurry, Kerry Armstrong, Ian Stanley Pearce, Luke Bollemann, Callan Mulvey, Lara Cox, Matt Newton, Chris Spencer, Jason Teer, Therese Thomas. “an intense drama flashing between various moments in time (past and present) and space, tracing the effects of child abuse in the present day adult’s relationships and the circular, repetitive nature of abuse. Daring and edgy.” Fiona A. Villella – reviewing the St Kilda Film Festival “A man can hit his wife or child with a stick as long as it is not thicker than his thumb.” From English Common Law Director: Phillip Crawford Producer: Julie Torrence Director of Photography: Patrick Burns Editor: Jack Rath and Phillip Crawford Music and Sound Design: Phil Okerstrom, Damian Mason and Simon Ayton Art Direction: Kirsten Lacy An Outsider Film Produced by Big hART Productions with assistance from the Omni Group, Stephen Grant, Arts Northwest, Outback Arts, and the NSW Ministry of the Arts, 1999 …