Once Were Warriors, the film

Once Were Warriors is a film from New Zealand distributed in 1994 which depicts the urban life of a Maori family which is frought with domestic violence, alcoholism, rape, and suicide. This film is very disturbing to watch and is for a mature audience only. It also may be especially disturbing for people who have been victims of domestic violence and abuse in the past.

The film accurately displays the dynamics and ambivalence often present in families which suffer from domestic violence and alcoholism. I understand that it has been used in professional training programs to sensitize students to the problems which they may be asked to help with.

I highly recommend this film but with significant concerns that the viewing audience be prepared to handle the content.

Link: Once Were Warriors (1994).