| Family Demons | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ursula Dabrowsky |
| Produced by | Sue Brown |
| Written by | Ursula Dabrowsky |
| Starring | Cassandra Kane Kerry Reid |
| Music by | Michael Taylor |
| Cinematography | Hugh Freytag |
| Editing by | Chop Suzee |
| Studio | Saylavee Productions |
| Distributed by | IFM World Releasing |
| Release date(s) | March 27, 2009[1] |
| Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $6,500 |
Family Demons is a 2009 Australian psychological thriller film, written and directed by Ursula Dabrowsky and starring Cassandra Kane, Kerry Reid and Alex Rafalowicz.[2]
Contents |
Billie, a teenage girl, endures a miserable existence with her alcoholic mother. She is cruelly punished every day, both physically and emotionally just for being born.[3] She has never been to school, she is not allowed to get a job, and she is not permitted to leave the house… ever. As such, Billie’s bizarre upbringing has resulted in her becoming a virtual prisoner in her own home. No friends, no outside contacts, just her drunken mother.[4]
During one of mum’s three day drinking binges, a starving Billie sneaks out of the house in search of food as there are no groceries. Billie finds her way to the local store and buys food, but on her way back home she is attacked by a gang of thugs.[5]
Seeing Billie outnumbered and in trouble, Sean (next door neighbor) tries to protect her while she makes her escape and Billie runs home. Unfortunately, her mother catches her coming in the house and she is chained to the laundry sink as punishment.[6]
Hearing Billie’s cries for help, Sean breaks into the house and frees her. The two of them plan to run away but her mother uncovers the plan and refuses to let Billie go. A violent struggle ensues and during this, Billie’s repressed anger is unleashed and in her fury she kills her mother.[7]
Burying the body in the backyard, Billie hides all traces of the crime. As she waits for Sean to arrive, it soon becomes clear that her mother’s evil, vengeful spirit remains and still does not wish for her to leave. Even in death, the mother is hell bent on denying Billie her freedom.[8]
The film was shot for two weeks in January 2006 on a minuscule budget of $6,500 in one of the worst heat waves to hit Adelaide, South Australia in 30 years.[9]
In November 2009, IFM World Releasing acquired distribution rights.[10] Family Demons is similar in tone to The Sixth Sense and The Others with thematic and visual references harking back to Brian De Palma’s horror classic, Carrie and contemporary Asian ghost stories, such as The Grudge and A Tale of Two Sisters.[11]
The movie won at Fright Night Film Festival two Awards "Best Foreign Feature" and Cassandra Kane as "Best Actress".[12]
Despite the constraints, this 'Downbeat Wonder' has garnered several Awards at international Film festivals[13], including Best Australian Director at the 2009 Night of Horror Film Festival in Sydney and was nominated as a finalist in the 2009 DigiSPAA awards.[14] The Making of the movie runs 60 minutes.[15]