A Caroline Springs woman combined her experience in mental health work with her passion for performing arts to create a movie which speaks out against family violence.
Locked In premiered in Melton in August and has since been the talk of the town with screenings all around the municipality.
Novice filmmaker Giovanna Mercuri said she started her own film production company because she wanted to make movies about social issues.
“I had never made a movie before and there was a lot of growth and learning that came with this,” Mercuri said.
“In my work as a social worker/counsellor,
it saddened me at how common family
violence is.
“What is even more horrific to me, is when the person being abused does not identify the behaviour as violent and abusive.
“Unfortunately, many families become so used to the abusive behaviour, that it becomes their norm.
“I felt like I needed to do more … I wanted to do something that promotes early intervention.”
Locked In tells the story of a woman in a coma who feels locked in her own body but it is later discovered she is also in an abusive relationship.
“The aim of this movie is to teach people how family violence affects every single person who comes across the victim and the violence, including the intern doctors who help treat her,” Mercuri said.
Mercuri is working on her next project, The Target, a movie raising awareness about bullying.
Locked In will screen at Taylors Hill Community Centre at 7pm on November 23. Tickets are $5.
