Domestic violence: this film should start a conversation across Europe
The feelings of isolation suffered by domestic violence victims are more intense for LGBTQ+ people or members of other marginalized groups. Legal delays prolong the suffering. TV has an important role in stimulating discussion. And telling these stories requires capturing their emotional and social depth and understanding complex relationships in contexts of vulnerability.
In a long interview with The Prisma - the first part of which we published last week, Marcío Laranjeira, director of “Casa Abrigo”, also discusses the larger issues in putting together a TV mini-series on a topic of public interest that is also often a taboo. By its nature domestic violence is hidden, because it’s a source of social disgrace for the family, and at the same time the perpetrator requires secrecy in order to impose his will and separate the woman from her social networks of support. This is especially evident in the use of hidden cameras by perpetrators.
The filmmaker is aware of the varied intersecting personal narratives that flow through the characters, and how they are accentuated or suppressed by the crisis of separation in the family.
Therapy can help the participants to understand the unconscious family narratives that are playing out in their relationships, but it is not always available. And slow-moving legal processes don’t keep pace with events and leave a sense of injustice for those obliged to leave their home, because of the violence of a person who carries on their life as normal.
An important analysis of the treatment of domestic violence in Portugal has been issued this week by the European Council. While acknowledging progress since 2019, they criticize the “patriarchal attitudes present among some members of the judiciary, which privilege the protection of the family unit at the expense of victim’s rights…” They also recommend mandatory training for members of the judiciary on all issues of violence against women covered by the GREMIO or Istanbul Convention.
I look forward to hearing about the TV mini-series that this film showcases, which is planned to be shown on both Portuguese and Spanish networks and would have a powerful impact in the UK, where domestic abuse is also prevalent.
The full interview with film stills was published here, and can also be read in Spanish by clicking the button on this page: